U.S. Stocks Edge Higher as Tesla’s $1 Trillion Pay Deal for Musk Dominates Headlines
U.S. stock futures ticked higher on Friday, hinting at a volatile close to a week dominated by tech-sector swings, policy uncertainty, and corporate drama. By 02:16 ET (07:16 GMT), Dow Jones futures were up around 100 points (0.2%), S&P 500 futures gained 18 points (0.3%), and Nasdaq 100 futures added 89 points (0.4%).
Investors continue to navigate a market marked by alternating optimism and anxiety. Earlier in the week, the major indices fell sharply as technology stocks led a broad decline, dragged by growing skepticism that the sector’s massive investments in artificial intelligence can maintain their current pace of returns.
The latest rebound reflects investors’ attempts to reposition ahead of the final session of a topsy-turvy trading week, one that underscored both the promise and the pressure of the AI-fueled stock boom. Yet, the broader environment remains uncertain, clouded by an ongoing U.S. government shutdown and a data drought that has left policymakers without critical economic indicators.
Tesla Shareholders Approve Elon Musk’s Historic $1 Trillion Pay Package
The spotlight firmly landed on Tesla Inc. after shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve a record-breaking $1 trillion compensation package for CEO Elon Musk, reaffirming confidence in his vision to transform Tesla from a carmaker into a robotics and AI powerhouse.
Roughly 75% of shareholders supported the plan despite opposition from some institutional investors who criticized the sheer scale of the payout. Tesla’s board defended the move, saying that Musk’s continued leadership was essential to the company’s long-term strategy and valuation.
Musk celebrated the vote as a defining moment, declaring that Tesla is not only entering a “new chapter” but “a whole new book.” His ambitions for the company include large-scale humanoid robots, a nationwide robotaxi network, and deep integration of AI in manufacturing and energy management.
While investors are split on whether Musk’s plans justify the valuation, analysts say the approval signals a renewed phase of aggressive innovation for Tesla as it tries to expand beyond the electric vehicle market into broader technological ecosystems.
U.S. to Restrict Nvidia’s AI Chip Sales to China
Adding another layer of tension, the White House reportedly plans to block Nvidia Corp. from selling even its scaled-back B30A artificial intelligence chip to China.
The move marks an escalation in the U.S.–China technology standoff and underscores Washington’s efforts to curb Beijing’s access to advanced AI computing. The B30A was designed as a less powerful alternative to the H20 chip, which remains exportable under current restrictions. However, officials reportedly determined that even this downgraded model exceeds the limits they wish to impose.
The decision could disrupt Nvidia’s plans to maintain its market share in China, one of its largest foreign markets, and heighten pressure on other semiconductor companies caught in the geopolitical crossfire. Analysts warn that the prolonged chip dispute could weigh on global supply chains and trigger renewed volatility in the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.
