Premarket Volume Scan

Market Narrative

## Premarket Scan: August 12, 2026 The top candidate by volume heading into the August 12, 2026 open is INTC, printing 164 million shares in premarket with only a 0.19% move. That combination is the key signal here. The stock is not gapping dramatically, but that kind of volume concentration in a tight range means institutions are actively positioning, not reacting to retail noise. The 1.96% premarket range gives this setup a HOD/LOD breakout structure at the open. Watch for a clean break of the premarket high or low on the first 5 to 15 minute candles with continuation volume. The shares_only designation is appropriate given where INTC options spreads tend to be during macro-heavy mornings. SPCX follows with 108 million shares down 3.93%, a larger directional move but still a strong volume read - the 1.7% PM range keeps it in HOD/LOD breakout territory as well. NVDA and SMCI round out the B-tier list with 102 million and 95 million shares respectively. NVDA's near-flat move at 217.50 with that volume tells a similar story to INTC: positioning, not panic. SMCI's 3.73% premarket range is wide enough to consider VWAP reclaim or rejection as the primary framework rather than a clean breakout entry. The macro environment is the defining variable on this date. CPI m/m is forecast at 0.1% against a prior reading of negative 0.4%, and Core CPI m/m is expected at 0.2% against a prior of 0.0%. Year-over-year numbers are also in focus, with headline CPI forecast at 3.4% and core at 2.5%. This is a high-impact release that will likely set the directional tone within the first minute of the data drop, which typically hits at 8:30 AM Eastern before the open. On CPI days, premarket ranges expand fast and then reverse or extend violently depending on the print. For NVDA and INTC specifically, a hotter-than-expected CPI number that pressures rate-sensitive growth and semiconductor names could define the LOD by 9:45 AM. A cooler print may give the sector a bid. The VWAP anchored to the 9:30 open is the cleaner tool on a macro-driven day like this one, particularly for NVDA where the options market will be pricing event risk aggressively. For the C-tier names, QMCO is up 64.69% with zero confirmed premarket volume reported,