Nvidia’s blockbuster earnings; Salesforce lifts outlook - what’s moving markets
August 27, 2026
Nvidia earnings, Salesforce outlook, U.S. stock futures, AI stocks, oil prices and Strait of Hormuz developments are driving financial markets today.
Global financial markets are reacting to a fresh wave of corporate earnings, shifting Federal Reserve expectations and developments in the Middle East. Nvidia’s blockbuster quarterly results have boosted confidence in the artificial intelligence trade, while Salesforce raised its full-year guidance, adding to optimism across technology stocks.
At the same time, oil prices extended their decline as investors assessed reports of potential diplomatic progress involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.
U.S. Stock Futures Rise After Nvidia Earnings
U.S. stock futures moved higher on Thursday as investors digested Nvidia’s stronger-than-expected quarterly results and looked ahead to further signals from the Federal Reserve.
Dow futures gained around 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures rose approximately 0.3%. Nasdaq 100 futures advanced about 0.7%, reflecting renewed strength in technology and artificial intelligence stocks.
Wall Street closed lower in the previous session as investors evaluated fresh inflation data and continued to assess the outlook for U.S. interest rates.
The latest U.S. inflation data showed that the headline Personal Consumption Expenditures price index remained somewhat stronger than expected, while the core reading was broadly in line with forecasts.
Although inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, market expectations for the central bank’s September interest-rate decision have remained relatively stable. However, stronger economic indicators have increased expectations that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
Investors are also watching upcoming comments from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, particularly for clues about inflation, monetary policy and the future path of U.S. interest rates.
Nvidia Earnings Strengthen the AI Market Outlook
The biggest market catalyst is Nvidia’s latest earnings report, which delivered stronger-than-expected quarterly revenue and an upbeat outlook for the coming quarter.
Nvidia projected current-quarter revenue of approximately $108 billion, exceeding Wall Street expectations. The company’s optimistic medium-term outlook also helped ease concerns surrounding the sustainability of the massive investment cycle in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Nvidia remains one of the most closely watched AI stocks, with its performance influencing semiconductor companies, technology shares and the broader Nasdaq.
Investors have recently questioned whether major technology companies can continue spending heavily on AI data centers while maintaining strong free cash flow. Nvidia’s latest results provided fresh evidence that demand for advanced AI chips and data-center infrastructure remains robust.
The company also expects strong revenue growth in its 2028 fiscal year, reinforcing expectations for continued expansion in the artificial intelligence market.
However, Nvidia faces risks. Rising memory-chip prices could put pressure on gross profit margins, creating an important issue for investors to monitor in future earnings reports.
Why Nvidia Matters for Investors
Nvidia’s results are important beyond the company itself. Strong demand for AI processors could benefit the wider semiconductor sector, cloud-computing companies, data-center operators and AI infrastructure providers.
The earnings report could therefore remain a major driver for the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500 and technology stocks in the near term.
Salesforce Raises Full-Year Guidance
Salesforce also contributed to the positive technology-sector sentiment after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter revenue and profit.
The enterprise software company raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook, signaling stronger demand for its business software and artificial intelligence offerings.
Salesforce shares jumped sharply in after-hours trading following the results.
Chief Executive Marc Benioff highlighted the growing contribution of AI across Salesforce’s platform, strengthening investor expectations that enterprise AI adoption could become an increasingly important source of growth.
Salesforce also announced an expanded partnership with Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company behind Claude. The companies are working on a system designed to combine Anthropic’s AI capabilities with Salesforce’s business software ecosystem.
The development highlights the accelerating competition between technology companies to integrate generative AI, enterprise AI and AI-powered business tools into mainstream corporate workflows.
Marvell Earnings in Focus
Investors are also preparing for Marvell Technology’s upcoming earnings report.
Marvell has become an increasingly important name in the AI semiconductor and data-center market. The company develops custom AI processors and high-speed interconnect technologies used to connect computing components inside data centers.
The company’s shares have delivered significant gains this year as investors have increased their focus on companies benefiting from the expansion of AI infrastructure.
Marvell previously projected that revenue from its custom-chip business could exceed $10 billion by 2029, supported by growing demand from major cloud-computing companies.
Its latest earnings report could provide additional insight into the strength of AI chip demand, data-center spending and semiconductor growth.
Oil Prices Extend Decline as Hormuz Hopes Improve
Oil prices moved lower for a fourth consecutive session as traders assessed the possibility of improved supply conditions in the Middle East.
Brent crude oil and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) have both recorded significant weekly declines as investors focus on reports of possible diplomatic progress involving Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important energy corridors, making any potential disruption or reopening highly significant for global oil markets.
Reports indicated progress involving Iran and Oman regarding commercial shipping routes through the waterway. However, uncertainty remains over when normal shipping activity could fully resume.
The oil market is also monitoring developments between the United States and Iran after Washington imposed additional economic sanctions on Tehran.
Any meaningful diplomatic breakthrough could reduce concerns about supply disruptions and place further downward pressure on Brent crude, WTI crude and energy stocks.
What Is Moving Markets Today?
Several major themes are shaping financial markets:
Nvidia earnings: Strong revenue and an upbeat outlook are supporting the AI investment story.
Salesforce earnings: Higher full-year guidance is strengthening confidence in enterprise software and AI growth.
Federal Reserve policy: Inflation remains a key factor for U.S. interest-rate expectations.
Marvell earnings: Investors are watching another major AI semiconductor company for signs of continued data-center demand.
Oil prices: Crude markets are reacting to potential diplomatic progress involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Technology stocks: Strong AI earnings are keeping the Nasdaq and semiconductor sector in focus.
Middle East tensions: Developments involving Iran continue to influence global energy markets.
Market Outlook
The combination of strong AI earnings, changing Federal Reserve expectations and falling oil prices is likely to keep volatility elevated across global financial markets.
Nvidia’s results have provided an important boost to the technology sector and could support investor confidence in the broader AI investment theme. Salesforce’s stronger outlook adds another positive signal for corporate technology spending.
Meanwhile, oil traders remain focused on Middle East diplomacy, sanctions and the future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
For investors, the key market drivers to watch are Nvidia stock, AI stocks, Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, Federal Reserve interest rates, U.S. inflation, Salesforce stock, Marvell Technology, Brent crude oil, WTI crude oil, Iran sanctions and Strait of Hormuz developments.