Disney Warns on China, Anthropic Shakes Up Chips

US Markets: Earnings and AI In Focus

Walt Disney is today's biggest mover. The company flagged weakening visitor numbers at its Shanghai and Hong Kong parks. Management said the slowdown seen in Q3 is continuing into Q4. Disney was already under pressure — down 13.7% year-to-date — and options flow showed bearish positioning heading into the print. The report arrives alongside a heavy earnings slate. CVS Health, eBay, MetLife, and Kraft Heinz all report today.

AI: Anthropic Goes In-House on Chips

Anthropic confirmed it is building its own chip team to power Claude. That is a direct move away from reliance on third-party silicon. It puts pressure on Alphabet and Amazon, who both have deep partnerships with the AI lab. The custom chip trend is accelerating across the industry.

Short Sellers and Analysts

Bears remain crowded in Hertz, with short interest at 82% of free float and near-zero availability. GameStop short interest rose to 14.8% of free float, up 2 percentage points on the week. On the analyst side, Arista Networks got a 33% price target lift from Rosenblatt, up to $280. Amgen was raised to Buy at BMO with a $450 target.

Europe: Geopolitics and Deals

European stocks are sliding today. Iran tensions remain a key macro driver. Defense stocks have rallied sharply after Ukraine ratified a $105 billion EU loan deal. An unnamed Dulux maker soared after rejecting a $14.5 billion takeover bid. Oil is trading below $100, easing some inflation pressure for consumers and central banks alike.