Tech stocks powered futures higher after OpenAI’s valuation jumped to $500B in a secondary share sale, igniting fresh momentum in AI names. Nvidia (NVDA), AMD (AMD), Intel (INTC), and Qualcomm (QCOM) all rallied, while Samsung and SK Hynix surged in Asia on news that they signed supply deals with OpenAI. The US government shutdown entered its second day with no resolution as President Trump threatened permanent federal worker layoffs, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant warned of growth risks. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) agreed to buy Occidental Petroleum’s (OXY) petrochemical business for $9.7B, deepening his bet on the energy giant. Tesla (TSLA) topped delivery estimates at 497,000, easing concerns about slowing sales. In trending tickers, REIT Fermi ([FERMI]) surged 55% in its IPO, and credit reporting firms Equifax (EFX) and TransUnion (TRU) tumbled after FICO (FICO) launched a new direct-to-lender scoring model.

Takeaways:

OpenAI hits $500B valuation, fueling global AI chip rally
US shutdown enters day two; Trump threatens mass federal layoffs
Buffett’s Berkshire buys OXY petrochemical unit for $9.7B
Tesla beats Q3 deliveries; Fermi IPO surges, Equifax/TransUnion sink on FICO move

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OpenAI hits $500B, shutdown drags on, Buffett’s $9.7B deal