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    Futures for US stocks suggest positive openings, but Intel shares drop despite comments from the president

    by VT Markets
    /
    Sep 19, 2025
    US stock futures suggest possible gains when the market opens. Both S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures are up by 0.2% before trading starts. The President recently announced the government’s purchase of Intel shares on social media. However, Intel’s stock has fallen by 1% in pre-market trading.

    Market Volatility Observations

    We’re expecting a slightly positive start, which fits with the market’s calm after the Federal Reserve decided not to raise rates. The inflation rate for August 2025 came in at 2.8%, easing worries and keeping market volatility low. This situation might benefit strategies like selling options on broad indexes, such as SPX. The President’s announcement about buying Intel shares is significant, leading to a split between Intel and the wider market. The drop in Intel’s stock price suggests investors think this could be a bailout rather than a smart investment, especially given recent warnings about supply chains. Implied volatility for Intel options has surged to over 45%, offering a great opportunity for traders expecting big price movements. This situation sets up a clear trading contrast in the coming weeks. While the VIX stays below 15, indicating a relaxed market, specific political risks in the semiconductor sector are rising sharply. This reminds us of the sector-specific shifts we experienced in 2023, where individual stocks moved differently from index trends.

    Trading Opportunities

    One strategy could be to express a long volatility view on the semiconductor sector using options from an ETF like SMH, or directly on Intel. You might consider buying straddles or strangles on INTC to benefit from a significant move in either direction. This can be combined with a neutral-to-bearish approach on the S&P 500, given the market’s subdued response to recent economic data. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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