Iran Peace Hopes Lift Markets Despite IRGC Threats, NATO Warning
Stocks are up again today in premarket trading, gaining +0.6% on growing hopes that the U.S.-Iran conflict is nearing its end. President Trump told reporters the U.S. would exit within "two or three weeks" regardless of whether a deal is reached, and is set to deliver a prime-time address tonight on the war's status. Behind the scenes, Washington reportedly sent Tehran a 15-point peace plan through Pakistani intermediaries covering Iran's missile and nuclear programs and the Strait of Hormuz, the blockade of which has roiled global energy markets.
NASA Prepares to Launch Humans Back on The Moon
The 50-years wait is over. NASA is set to launch Artemis II today evening, sending four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the moon and back, the closest any human has traveled to the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission will test Orion's life-support systems, with the spacecraft built jointly by NASA and Lockheed Martin (LMT) remaining the only vehicle capable of crewed deep space flight and high-speed Earth re-entry. Artemis III follows in 2027, testing docking with commercial landers from SpaceX (SPACE) and Blue Origin (BORGN), before Artemis IV sends astronauts to the lunar South Pole in early 2028.
Wall Street Isn't Convinced by Nike's Comeback
Nike (NKE) is down roughly -11% in premarket trading after FQ3 results showed progress on recovery but left investors wanting more. Revenue rose +0.1% YoY to $11.3B on a reported basis, though down -3% on a constant-currency basis, with gross margin contracting 130 bps to 40.2% due to higher North American tariffs. Net income fell -35% YoY to $0.5B, with GAAP EPS of $0.35 missing last year's $0.54. CEO Elliott Hill struck an optimistic tone, noting the direction is clear and momentum is building across prioritized areas of the portfolio.
OpenAI Closes Blockbuster Funding Round as Revenue Surges
OpenAI has closed its $122B funding round, including more than $3B from individual investors and participation from Ark Invest, valuing the company at $852B. The raise builds on last month's $110B commitment from strategic partners including Amazon (AMZN), Nvidia (NVDA), and SoftBank (SFTBY), with OpenAI also expanding its undrawn revolving credit facility to $4.7B backed by JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Goldman Sachs (GS), and others. Separately, OpenAI disclosed it is generating $2B in monthly revenue, has 900M weekly active users, 50M paying subscribers, and ad revenue already surpassing $100M in annualized run rate less than six weeks into its pilot.
Luxury Furnisher RH Tumbles on Weak Outlook
RH (RH) is down over -20% in premarket trading after issuing a cautious 2026 outlook, guiding to revenue growth of only +4% to +8% and adjusted EBITDA margins of 14% to 16%, despite posting free cash flow of $252M versus negative $214M in 2024. CEO Gary Friedman attributed near-term pressure to tariffs, peak investment spending, and what he called "the worst" housing market conditions he has seen, while urging investors to take a longer view. RH targets $5.4B to $5.8B in revenue and 25% to 28% EBITDA margins by 2030, with plans to be debt-free by 2029.
