Chips, Bonds, and a $12.9B AI Deal Drive September Open

Nvidia's Hugging Face Move Dominates

NVDA confirmed a $12.9 billion acquisition of Hugging Face today. CEO Jensen Huang called it a "growth driver" for the AI ecosystem. The deal cements Nvidia's push beyond hardware into the AI software and model-sharing layer. Short interest sits at minimal levels. This week's options flow already flagged two-sided positioning around the name — traders were bracing for a catalyst, and they got one.

Broadcom's Triple Upgrade Sticks

AVGO drew three simultaneous price target hikes to $600 this week from Rosenblatt, BMO Capital, and Cantor Fitzgerald. The catalyst was Q3 AI revenue up 221%. Shares slipped on softer guidance, but analyst conviction on the custom silicon story remains firm.

Bond Markets Flash Warning

European gas prices hit a three-year high today. US 10-year yields touched their highest since 2023. UK borrowing costs rose to levels last seen in 2008. Japan's bond yields hit peaks not seen since the 1990s. The global bond sell-off is deepening on inflation fears. Equity markets are watching closely — the 60/40 portfolio is being tested again.

Europe: Defence and Defence Alone

European stocks fell broadly today. The exception was the defence sector, which rallied after Ukraine ratified a $105 billion EU loan deal. A separate geopolitical thread — Iran tensions — kept energy prices and risk sentiment choppy. Vivendi also released first-half 2026 results today.

Earnings Season Kicks Off

Ciena reported this morning. Guidewire Software reports after the close. Campbell's and PVH Corp also hold calls today. The results will test whether consumer and enterprise spending held up through the summer. GameStop follows Monday, September 8.