Futures for the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1%, as Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 22 points, or 0.1%. In premarket trading, Oracle stood out, with shares climbing more than 4% after TikTok agreed to divest its U.S. operations to a new joint venture involving the software company and private equity firm Silver Lake. By contrast, Nike shares plunged 10% after the sportswear giant reported weaker revenue from its Greater China business in the fiscal second quarter, citing pressure from higher tariffs that weighed on gross margins.

In the prior session, both the S&P 500 and the Dow snapped four-day losing streaks, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.4%, led by a rebound in technology stocks that had recently underperformed. Equities advanced Thursday following a November consumer price index report that showed inflation cooling more than expected, alongside renewed strength among major tech names. The CPI data showed consumer prices rising 2.7% year over year, below forecasts, prompting speculation that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in 2026, though some economists cautioned that data distortions linked to the recent government shutdown could result in firmer inflation readings in December.

Technology and semiconductor stocks also benefited from upbeat guidance from Micron Technology, which said demand is “substantially higher than supply for the foreseeable future.” The outlook reassured investors after several sessions dominated by concerns about the sustainability of artificial intelligence-driven growth. All seven of the so-called Magnificent Seven technology stocks closed Thursday higher, even as semiconductor shares overall remain roughly 8% below their recent peaks.

Market strategists remain cautious but constructive on the broader outlook. Magdalena Ocampo of Principal Asset Management said the timing and magnitude of returns from AI investment are still uncertain, but easing monetary policy, fiscal support, and reduced trade uncertainty could create a more favorable macro backdrop in 2026, potentially broadening equity gains beyond a narrow group of AI leaders. For the week, the S&P 500 and Dow are down about 0.8% and 1%, respectively, while the Nasdaq has slipped 0.8%. Volatility could rise on Friday due to “quadruple witching,” when options on stocks, indexes, futures, and index futures expire simultaneously, with a record $7.1 trillion in notional options set to roll off, according to a source.