Chips, Squeeze Plays, and a Busy Week Ahead

Semiconductors in Focus

The chip sector is driving the biggest stories today. SK Hynix has shipped next-generation HBM memory samples to major customers — a direct positive for NVDA and MU. Analysts piled on. Micron's average consensus target rose nearly $50 in a single session, reaching $927. That's one of the sharpest single-day target moves this week. SK Hynix's move also puts pressure on Samsung as HBM competition intensifies. Markets open with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq under slight pressure after chip stocks gave back gains overnight.

Short Interest & Squeeze Watch

CHWY sits at 69.3% SI % of Free Float — still one of the highest readings in the market. CAR saw a 7-point spike in short interest in one week, now at 47.5%. RUM is flashing a squeeze setup. Borrow availability has collapsed to just 0.43% of short interest, with utilization at 100%. Options activity is building fast around weekly expiries. Steel names NUE and STLD drew heavy call buying after both issued strong Q2 guidance.

Earnings Week Kicks Off

KR Kroger opens the week with Q1 results this morning. Wednesday is the key day. CCL Carnival, KBH KB Home, and FDX FedEx all report. FedEx is a global trade bellwether — its guidance will carry weight. In the UK, TEP Telecom Plus and SFR Severfield post full-year numbers mid-week.

Macro Backdrop

Oil markets are shifting. The IEA warned a Middle East peace deal could trigger a supply glut in 2026. The Iran crisis premium is fading fast. European stocks slid as defence names rallied on Ukraine's €105 billion EU loan deal ratification. UK inflation data remains elevated, keeping gilt yields high and pressure on sterling.