US stock index futures were mixed on Thursday as weakness in chip stocks kept sentiment subdued ahead of fresh economic data, while upbeat results from UnitedHealth offered some support.
The latest in a wave of positive quarterly results, UnitedHealth (UNH.N), raised its 2026 profit forecast, sending shares of the healthcare giant up 6.7% before the bell and helping lift Dow futures.
Peers Humana (HUM.N), and Centene (CNC.N) gained 5% and 4.2%, respectively.
Chip stocks extended declines from the previous session when investors rotated into megacap technology names and banks following strong results from major lenders.
US-listed shares of TSMC fell 4.6% in premarket trading, even after the advanced AI chipmaker reported a 77% jump in second-quarter profit that topped market expectations.
The company also said it would invest an additional $100 billion in the United States.
Memory-chip makers were among the biggest decliners, with Western Digital (WDC.O) and Seagate Technology (STX.O) down 7.2% and 5.8%, respectively.
Chip stocks were earlier among the biggest beneficiaries of this year’s rally, as optimism around AI spending by hyperscalers helped drive Wall Street to record highs.
At 07:13 am ET, Dow E-minis were up 95 points, or 0.18%, and S&P 500 E-minis were down 14.75 points, or 0.19%. Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 210.25 points, or 0.71%.
The main three US indexes rose for a second straight session on Wednesday as this week’s benign inflation reports for June eased inflation concerns and reduced worries over tighter Federal Reserve policy.
A strong start to the second-quarter earnings season also supported sentiment, even as US-Iran tensions simmered in the background.
“While geopolitical dynamics may trigger setbacks, earnings should remain the key driver of performance for the remainder of the year,” said Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management.
“In fact, with the US second-quarter earnings season kicking off with solid beats, we expect another strong set of results in the coming weeks.”
