U.S. Stock Futures Flat as Walmart Outlook Dampens Sentiment
Key stock futures contracts hovered near baseline levels after a decline in the broader market, sparked by a weak earnings outlook from Walmart.
* S&P 500 (ES=F): 0.02%
* Nasdaq (NQ=F): 0.02%
* Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F): -0.04%
Walmart's concerns over tariffs have raised uncertainty for retailers and consumers, contributing to Thursday's market downturn. The company's CFO warned of potential price increases for electronics and general merchandise due to tariffs' impact on its bottom line.
Economic data releases on Friday are limited, with existing home sales for January offering insights into the housing market. Consumer sentiment will also be gauged by the University of Michigan.
In individual stock movements:
* Celsius Holdings (CELH): Soared over 35% after announcing the acquisition of Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion.
* Dropbox (DBX): Declined 6% due to reported slowing customer growth.
* Meta (META): Continues to gain attention, with reports of a 10% cut in equity awards for employees in 2025.