Dow Jones futures rise as Warren Buffett invests in UnitedHealth, Intel gains on U.S. stake speculation, and markets eye Trump-Putin talks and key U.S. economic data. Bitcoin holds near $119K.

Dow Jones Futures Rise on Buffett’s UnitedHealth Bet and Intel Manufacturing Boost

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is set to close the week on a strong note, driven by a surge in UnitedHealth (UNH) shares after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway revealed a new position in the health insurer.

This vote of confidence comes as investors brace for a busy Friday featuring major economic data releases and a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the prospects for ending the Ukraine war.

Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Makes Strategic Moves

An after-hours SEC filing on Thursday revealed that Berkshire Hathaway added UnitedHealth to its portfolio while trimming its stake in Apple (AAPL). UnitedHealth shares, which have been under pressure in recent months, rallied sharply in pre-market trading on the news.

The investment marks a significant endorsement from Buffett in a sector facing regulatory scrutiny and cost pressures. Analysts note that such high-profile buys often trigger broader investor confidence in targeted companies.

Intel Rallies on Possible U.S. Government Stake

Thursday also brought news that the U.S. government is considering taking an ownership stake in Intel (INTC). The move would align with President Trump’s “America First” manufacturing agenda, aiming to bolster domestic semiconductor production.

Intel’s stock has seen extended gains since the announcement, with analysts suggesting a government partnership could accelerate its technology roadmap and reduce dependency on overseas chip manufacturing.

Markets Brace for Economic Data and Geopolitical Talks

Investors are awaiting:

• July Retail Sales Data – A key indicator of consumer spending health.
• University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (Preliminary) – Offering early insight into U.S. economic confidence.

On the geopolitical front, markets are closely watching the Trump-Putin meeting, which could influence global energy markets, defense spending, and diplomatic relations tied to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Global Market Overview

• Dow Jones Futures – Higher, boosted by UnitedHealth rally.
• S&P 500 Futures – Slightly higher.
• Nasdaq-100 Futures – Slightly lower, reflecting tech sector softness.
• WSJ Dollar Index – Down, with notable weakness against the Japanese yen.
• European Stocks – Mostly higher ahead of Trump-Putin talks.
• Asian Stocks – Broadly positive, except Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, which dropped after weak Chinese economic data for July.

Bitcoin Holds Near Record High

Bitcoin (BTC) is consolidating near $119,000 after briefly touching an all-time intraday high of $124,000 on Thursday. Traders are watching whether the cryptocurrency can maintain momentum amid macroeconomic uncertainty and increased institutional adoption.

Outlook

If UnitedHealth sustains its rally and Intel secures a government partnership, the Dow Jones could maintain upward momentum into next week. Meanwhile, the market’s reaction to Friday’s economic data and the Trump-Putin meeting could set the tone for global risk sentiment in the short term.

With crypto markets heating up and global central banks navigating inflation and growth trade-offs, investors may need to brace for elevated volatility through the remainder of August.