US futures rise as Nvidia earnings revive AI optimism and Salesforce lifts outlook: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street

Fiona Craig

Thu, August 27, 2026 at 12:32 PM GMT+3 5 min read

US stock futures moved higher on Thursday as Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) delivered stronger-than-expected quarterly results and an ambitious medium-term growth outlook, helping reinforce investor confidence in the artificial intelligence investment cycle.

Sentiment received an additional boost from Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), which raised its full-year guidance following better-than-expected quarterly results and announced an expanded artificial intelligence partnership with Anthropic.

Meanwhile, oil prices extended their recent decline as investors monitored diplomatic efforts that could ease tensions in the Middle East and eventually restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

US futures advance ahead of Jackson Hole

At 02:49 ET, Dow futures were up 124 points, or 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures gained 26 points, or 0.3%. Nasdaq 100 futures outperformed with an increase of 195 points, or 0.7%.

The gains followed a weaker Wednesday session on Wall Street, when investors were preparing for Nvidia's closely watched results while assessing the latest US inflation figures.

July's headline personal consumption expenditures price index came in slightly above expectations, while the core measure matched forecasts.

Expectations that the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged at its September meeting remained broadly intact. However, markets increased their expectations for possible rate increases later in the year following a series of resilient economic indicators.

Deutsche Bank analysts pointed to a "solid slate of data," including stronger-than-expected durable goods orders and an upward revision to second-quarter consumer spending. The figures were "hard to square with a view that Fed policy is restrictive," they said.

Attention is now turning towards Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's address at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday. Analysts at Vital Knowledge said they do not expect Warsh to substantially alter his message, given his previous emphasis on bringing inflation under control.

Nvidia outlook reinforces confidence in AI investment

Nvidia shares advanced in extended trading after the semiconductor group reported second-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations and provided stronger-than-anticipated guidance.

The company expects current-quarter revenue of $108 billion, exceeding market forecasts.

Investors were particularly encouraged by Nvidia's longer-term outlook. Chief financial officer Colette Kress said the company now expects revenue growth of 70% in fiscal 2028, significantly above the 45% estimate indicated by FactSet data, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The guidance helped ease concerns about whether the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure spending can be sustained, particularly as major technology hyperscalers commit substantial capital to new data centres.

Nvidia has also been using its balance sheet strategically to support customers developing the infrastructure needed for advanced AI systems. Kress said major frontier AI laboratories could eventually become "the largest technology companies in history."

"Management delivered a compelling vision of how strategic investments help Nvidia secure its dominance in this once-in-a-generation AI buildout," BofA analysts said.

BofA nevertheless highlighted higher memory chip costs as a potential pressure on profitability. Nvidia expects gross margin to ease from 75% to 74% in the third quarter before moving to between 71% and 72% during the fourth quarter.

Salesforce raises guidance as AI strategy gains momentum

Salesforce also contributed to the positive market backdrop after delivering second-quarter profit and revenue above expectations.

The enterprise software company raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook, while chief executive Marc Benioff said "AI is delivering value across every layer of our platform."

Salesforce shares jumped more than 13% in after-hours trading following the announcement.

Raymond James analysts noted that Salesforce continues to expect its growth metrics to accelerate during the second half of fiscal 2027.

"The news comes in stark contrast to other front-office software vendors that referenced extended sales cycles through 2026, and points to potential advantages for Salesforce," the analysts said.

Salesforce also expanded its partnership with artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The companies are developing "Claudeforce," which will integrate Anthropic's advanced plug-ins with Salesforce's business software ecosystem.

Selected pilot customers can already access the technology, with a beta release planned for next month.

Marvell Technology earnings move into focus

Marvell Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL) will be another major focus for technology investors when the semiconductor company reports after Thursday's closing bell.

The stock has gained more than 174% so far this year, taking Marvell's market capitalisation to just under $215 billion.

The company, which has received financial backing from Nvidia, develops custom AI processors and interconnect technologies used to connect the chips powering advanced artificial intelligence models in data centres.

Marvell previously forecast that revenue from custom chips could exceed $10 billion by 2029 as cloud computing companies increase spending on specialised AI infrastructure.

Oil extends decline as markets monitor Middle East diplomacy

Oil prices moved lower for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday as investors became increasingly hopeful that diplomatic developments could improve supply conditions in the Middle East.

Reports indicated that Iran and Oman had reached an agreement concerning commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, although Tehran cautioned that such an agreement would not necessarily result in an immediate reopening.

Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate futures have both fallen more than 6% this week as expectations of improving shipping conditions have outweighed continued tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The US introduced tougher economic sanctions against Iran earlier in the week and warned other countries against conducting trade with Tehran.

However, reports of potential diplomatic progress have provided a more constructive backdrop. Russian state media reported that the US and Iran had reached a new ceasefire agreement that could be announced in the coming days, although the report had not been independently verified.

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