US Stock Futures Diverge After Walmart Earnings Outlook
Major US stock index futures exhibited contrasting movements on Friday following a decline in the major indexes Thursday after a weak earnings outlook from Walmart (WMT).
* S&P 500 (ES=F) futures rose marginally by 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) futures gained 0.3%.
* Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) futures declined 0.3%, continuing its downward trend from Thursday's market decline.
UnitedHealth (UNH) shares weakened in premarket trading, down 11%, due to reports of a potential investigation into its Medicare billing practices.
Economic Data and Corporate News
Friday presents a lean day for economic data releases and corporate earnings.
* Existing home sales data for January will offer insights into the housing market.
* University of Michigan's consumer sentiment reading is expected to provide additional data points.
Celsius Holdings (CELH) stock surged over 30% after announcing the acquisition of Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion, expanding its energy drink portfolio.
Market Analysis and Implications
* President Donald Trump's tariffs continue to impact retailers and consumers, with Walmart citing tariff uncertainty as a factor in its weak outlook.
* Nvidia's earnings release next week may not have the same market-moving impact as previous years due to different factors driving the S&P 500's gains.
* Meta (META) continues to make headlines, with reports indicating a 10% reduction in stock options for employees in 2025.