5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

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  • Dec 19, 2024
5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are pointing higher after a market selloff on the Federal Reserve 's interest-rate outlook; Micron Technology ( MU ) stock is sinking after the Nvidia ( NVDA ) partner offers weaker-than-expected guidance; bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) resumes trading over $100,000 and cryptocurrency stocks move higher after yesterday's selloff; Nike ( NKE ) is scheduled to issue its first earnings report under new CEO Elliott Hill after markets close; and FedEx ( FDX ) is expected to show income growth when it also reports after the bell. Here's what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Higher After Market Selloff

U.S. stock futures are pointing higher as markets show signs of rebounding after plunging on the Fed's interest-rate projections . Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 0.5% as the blue-chip index looks to break a 10-session losing streak, including an 1,100-point drop yesterday. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures are higher by about 0.7%. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note are higher at more than 4.5%, gold futures are down almost 1%, and crude oil futures are ticking lower. Investors will be watching for data on weekly jobless claims, second revisions of third-quarter U.S. gross domestic product, and existing home sales for November.

2. Micron Stock Tumbles on Weak Quarterly Outlook

Micron Technology ( MU ) stock is sinking 12% in premarket trading after the memory chip maker and Nvidia ( NVDA ) partner issued a weaker-than-expected current-quarter outlook . Micron projected fiscal second-quarter revenue of $7.9 billion, give or take $200 million, below the analyst consensus of $8.93 billion compiled by Visible Alpha. While the company said it sees a return to growth in the second half of fiscal 2025, it anticipates consumer-oriented markets to remain weaker in the near term.

3. Bitcoin Climbs Back Over $100,000, Crypto Stocks Rebound After Selloff

After falling below the six-figure price level following the Fed's announcement, bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) is trading above $102,000 Thursday morning. Bitcoin buyer MicroStrategy ( MSTR ) is up about 5% in premarket trading after sinking nearly 10% in the prior session, while crypto exchange Coinbase Global ( COIN ) is up 4% after a similar drop yesterday. Bitcoin miners Riot Platforms ( RIOT ) and MARA Holdings ( MARA ) are up about 4% after logging declines of more than 14% and 12%, respectively.

4. Nike Slated to Issue First Earnings Report Under New CEO

Shares of shoemaker Nike ( NKE ) are 0.6% higher in premarket trading ahead of the post-close release of its second-quarter results . Analysts tracked by Visible Alpha project that Nike will report $12.12 billion in quarterly revenue , a 9% year-over-year decline, and post net income of $968 million, down from $1.6 billion. The apparel maker has faced growing competition from smaller brands both domestically and in other vital markets like China. The report will be the first quarterly results since its new CEO , company veteran Elliott Hill, took over in October.

5. FedEx Expected to Report Net Income Growth

FedEx ( FDX ) shares are edging higher in premarket trading as investors anticipate that the shipping giant will report profit growth when it releases its second-quarter report after markets close. The company is projected to post slightly lower revenue of $22.14 billion but a 3% year-over-year rise in net income to $925.1 million, according to analysts polled by Visible Alpha. FedEx has said it plans to complete a review of options for its freight business by the end of the calendar year, and analysts have said it may "unlock value" for the business to be spun off.

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