US Premarket Watch: Tesla-SpaceX Merger Odds Hit 55% as Anthropic Revenue Miss Weighs on Sentiment

News Editor

2026-08-18 13:06:16

A cluster of premarket developments on Aug. 18 drew attention across U.S. equities and crypto-linked circles. Premarket trading turned weaker across the three major U.S. stock indexes, as well as storage and optical communications names, after renewed focus on Anthropic’s annualized revenue run rate. Bloomberg had previously reported that Anthropic’s run rate stood at about $65 billion as of the end of July, below some third-party data points and bullish AI-sector expectations that had pointed to more than $80 billion. The gap fueled concern that growth may be losing momentum. Separate filings-based data showed that in the first half of 2026, more than a dozen family offices collectively held at least $3.8 billion worth of SpaceX shares. Prediction markets were also pricing a 55% chance that Tesla and SpaceX merge before 2027. Elsewhere, Meta Platforms was set to face trial Tuesday local time in a major case involving alleged harm to child safety and privacy violations. Super League rose more than 20% in premarket trading after receiving a 2,100 BTC capital injection from Metaplanet plus an additional $2.5 million in cash, with Metaplanet expected to own about 95.7% of Superplanet after the deal closes. Bank of America’s latest global fund manager survey showed equity allocations at their highest level in nearly five years, while Goldman Sachs announced an agreement to acquire LCN Capital Partners.

BlockBeats reported on Aug. 18 that several key developments were in focus ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. market open.

Anthropic revenue figure pressured premarket trading

The three major U.S. stock indexes, along with storage and optical communications shares, moved lower in premarket trading. One factor in focus was Anthropic’s annualized revenue run rate, which Bloomberg had previously reported at about $65 billion as of the end of July.

That figure landed below some third-party data points and optimistic expectations in AI circles that had pointed to more than $80 billion. Against that backdrop, the $65 billion level was seen as a sign that the company’s growth slope may be slowing.

Family offices held at least $3.8 billion in SpaceX shares

A roundup of 13F regulatory filings showed that in the first half of 2026, more than a dozen family offices collectively held at least $3.8 billion in SpaceX (SPCX.O) shares.

Prediction markets price 55% odds of a Tesla-SpaceX merger before 2027

Prediction market data showed a 55% probability that Tesla (TSLA.O) and SpaceX (SPCX.O) will merge before 2027.

Meta faces trial over child safety and privacy case

A major case involving allegations that Meta Platforms (META.O) harmed child safety and violated privacy is set to go to trial on Tuesday local time.

Super League jumps on Metaplanet investment

Metaverse company Super League (SLE.O) rose more than 20% in premarket trading after receiving a 2,100 BTC capital injection from Metaplanet, along with an additional $2.5 million in cash.

Once the transaction is completed, Metaplanet is expected to hold about 95.7% of Superplanet.

Fund managers lift equity exposure

Bank of America’s latest global fund manager survey showed that allocations to equities have climbed to their highest level in nearly five years, leaving market consensus heavily crowded.

A net 56% of respondents were overweight equities, the highest reading since November 2021, while cash allocations fell to a record low of 3.5%.

Baidu reports second-quarter 2026 revenue

Baidu (BIDU.O) posted revenue of 31.3 billion yuan for the second quarter of 2026, compared with 32.713 billion yuan a year earlier.

Goldman Sachs strikes deal for LCN Capital Partners

Goldman Sachs (GS.N) said it had reached an agreement to acquire LCN Capital Partners. The upfront transaction consideration is about $260 million, and the proposed deal also includes about $150 million in deferred and contingent consideration.

This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan.

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