[Market Overview]
The "Iran Shock": Wall Street opened in the red as the U.S.-Iran war led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. WTI crude futures surged 20% to top $119, the fastest price increase since the 1980s.
Analyst Warning: Macquarie warned that a prolonged closure of the Strait could send oil prices soaring past $150 per barrel.
[Featured Stocks: Technology & AI]
■ Apple (AAPL): Strong Defense Against Memory Price Hikes
Cost Pressure: Citi maintained a Buy ($315 TP) despite forecasting a 50% rise in DRAM prices through Q2 2026.
Competitive Edge: While memory accounts for 9% of iPhone and 15% of Mac/iPad production costs, Apple’s supply chain dominance and aggressive pricing power shield it better than peers.
Margin Impact: Citi expects a 1.4 percentage point hit to FY26 gross margins, but a recovery to less than a 0.5 percentage point impact by FY27.
■ Oracle (ORCL): Data Center Strategy Shift
Expansion Scrapped: Plans to expand the flagship Abilene facility with OpenAI were reportedly canceled due to financing delays and shifting requirements.
Meta Steps In: Meta is now exploring leasing the site from developer Crusoe. Nvidia is reportedly mediating the deal with a $150 million deposit.
Oracle's Stance: Oracle clarified that its collaboration with Crusoe remains strong, with two buildings already operational and additional capacity secured for OpenAI.
■ MicroStrategy (MSTR): Continued Bitcoin Aggression
The Purchase: The company sold 10.1 million shares (generating $1.28 billion) between March 2–8 to acquire 17,994 more Bitcoins at an average price of $70,946.
Total Holdings: As of March 8, MicroStrategy holds 738,731 BTC at an average cost of $75,862 per coin.
[Biotech & Healthcare Surprises]
■ Hims & Hers (HIMS): Strategic Pivot with Novo Nordisk
The Deal: Ending their legal dispute, Hims & Hers will now sell FDA-approved Ozempic and Wegovy directly on its platform.
New Strategy: The company will stop advertising compounded GLP-1s, shifting focus to branded, approved medications as supply constraints ease.
■ Pfizer (PFE): Positive Atopic Dermatitis Data
Clinical Success: The antibody treatment 'Tilrekimig' showed 75% symptom improvement in Phase 2 trials for atopic dermatitis with no serious adverse reactions. Phase 3 is slated for late 2026.
■ Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): Multiple Myeloma Breakthrough
Successor-2 Trial: Interim Phase 3 results for Mezigdomide showed statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for refractory multiple myeloma patients.
■ Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE): Epilepsy Treatment Milestone
NDA Filing: Its candidate Azetukalner met primary endpoints in Phase 3 trials for focal onset seizures. The company plans to submit an FDA application in Q3 2026.
[Energy & Industrial Movers]
■ Oil Majors (XOM, CVX, OXY, COP): Surging alongside crude prices as the Middle East crisis intensifies. ■ Phillips 66 (PSX): Appointed two new directors (Howard Ungerleider and Kevin Meyers) following pressure from activist investor Elliott Management. ■ Lamb Weston (LW): Starboard Value has acquired a significant stake in the french fry giant, seeking operational improvements and a potential sale of Asia-Pacific assets. ■ Beta Technologies (BETA): The newly public aerospace startup reported Q4 revenue of $11.1M (beating $8M exp) and raised its 2026 revenue outlook due to rapid defense contract expansion.
[Consumer & Logistics]
■ Live Nation (LYV): DOJ Settlement Imminent
The Compromise: A settlement with the DOJ is expected within days. While Ticketmaster will not be divested, it must open its tech to rivals, limit exclusivity contracts to 4 years, and cap service fees at 15%.
■ Netflix (NFLX): Downgraded to Market Perform
Wells Fargo Cut: Lowered to "Market Weight" with a $105 TP. Analysts worry that "Plan A" (spending $20B+ on original content after the failed Warner Bros. Discovery pursuit) will cap valuation and slow revenue growth.
■ Circle (CRCL): Reported stellar Q4 results with EPS of $0.43 (vs. $0.16 exp). Domestic retail investors in Korea reportedly net-bought $51M of CRCL recently, surpassing interest in Nvidia and Oracle.
