Market Data
Register for Free to get streaming real-time quotes, interactive charts, live options flow, and more.
U.S. equity futures are trading cautiously as investors continue to digest recently released labor market data. Attention is turning to remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who is set to speak publicly for the first time since the central bank delivered an interest rate cut last week. In corporate news, shares of homebuilder Lennar (NYSE:LEN) slipped in after-hours trading following weaker-than-expected earnings, while anticipation builds ahead of quarterly results from semiconductor group Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), which may offer fresh insight into conditions in the artificial intelligence sector. Separately, reports suggest Warner Bros Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) is preparing to advise shareholders to reject a takeover proposal from Paramount Skydance in favor of an alternative deal backed by Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX).
U.S. stock futures hovered close to unchanged early Wednesday as markets weighed mixed employment figures released in the previous session and looked ahead to upcoming inflation data.
At 02:52 ET, Dow futures were little changed, S&P 500 futures were up 6 points, or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures edged higher by 27 points, also up 0.1%.
During Tuesday’s session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.6%, the S&P 500 fell 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite managed a 0.2% gain.
Investors continued to analyze delayed labor market data showing that job creation in November exceeded expectations, even as the unemployment rate rose faster than forecast. The figures have renewed concerns about the potential economic impact of President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariff measures.
Following the data release, markets began pricing in at least 58 basis points of Federal Reserve rate cuts next year, significantly above the 25 basis points previously signaled by the central bank.
One of the key events on Wednesday’s calendar is a scheduled speech from Fed Governor Christopher Waller at 08:15 ET.
The appearance marks Waller’s first public comments since indicating he would move from a dovish stance to a more neutral position following December’s rate reduction. Last week, the Fed lowered borrowing costs by 25 basis points, citing concerns over labor market softness despite lingering inflation pressures.
“It will be interesting to hear an update on [Waller’s] view,” analysts at Vital Knowledge said in a note to clients.
Waller’s remarks also come amid reports from The Wall Street Journal suggesting he is set to be interviewed by Trump as a potential successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May. Trump has previously said that former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett are his preferred candidates.
Although Waller has emerged this year as a strong proponent of interest rate cuts and is reportedly viewed favorably by Wall Street, the WSJ noted that his chances may be limited by weaker personal ties to Trump compared with other contenders.
Lennar shares fell in extended trading after the company reported fourth-quarter profit that missed expectations, as rising costs continued to weigh on housing demand.
Lennar Co-CEO Stuart Miller said consumer confidence remains pressured by affordability concerns, which have offset the benefits of lower interest rates. He also warned that margins could come under pressure due to sales incentives such as mortgage-rate buydowns.
Still, Miller said the company is adjusting to “a new normal as the market finds it footing.” Lennar reported fourth-quarter earnings of $1.93 per share, below forecasts of $2.22, while revenue of $9.37 billion exceeded expectations, according to LSEG data cited by Reuters.
Later Wednesday, Micron Technology is set to report results after the market close. Sentiment toward the AI sector softened last week following disappointing earnings from Oracle and Broadcom, raising questions about the durability of heavy investment in artificial intelligence.
However, optimism around Micron remains strong. The outlook is “extremely bullish,” with expectations of a multi-year demand cycle for its high-bandwidth memory products used in advanced AI chips, according to analysts at Vital Knowledge.
Micron shares have surged more than 176% this year, driven largely by the company’s role as a key supplier of memory components for Nvidia’s AI processors.
According to media reports, Warner Bros Discovery’s board could announce a decision as soon as Wednesday regarding Paramount Skydance’s $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid.
Sources familiar with the matter say the board is preparing to recommend that shareholders reject Paramount’s proposal in favor of an existing agreement with Netflix.
Earlier this month, Netflix agreed to acquire Warner Bros’ studios and HBO Max streaming business for $27.75 per share in a cash-and-stock deal, beating rival bids from Paramount and Comcast. Paramount later returned with a $30-per-share all-cash offer for the entire company.
If Warner Bros’ board advises shareholders to vote against the bid, Paramount and CEO David Ellison may be forced to reconsider or improve their offer for the owner of major franchises including “Game of Thrones” and “Friends.”
Crude prices surged after Trump ordered a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, raising concerns about potential disruptions to global supply.
Brent crude futures rose 1.4% to $59.73 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 1.5% to $55.94 per barrel.
Both benchmarks had dropped to five-year lows in the previous session amid signs of progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks and fears of excess supply next year.
“Venezuela exported around 600k b/d of oil in November. It’s likely that these volumes will fall given the latest developments. The bulk of this oil is shipped to China,” ING analysts said in a note.
Warner Brothers Discovery stock price
Join the discussion: Connect with other investors on your favorite stocks or explore the top-talked-about stocks on our Breakout Boards.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.
U.S. stock index futures are pointing to a solidly higher open on Thursday, suggesting equities could recover some lost ground after heavy selling pressure in the previous session. Futures strengthened following the release of fresh consumer inflation data from the U.S. Labor Department, which showed price pressures easing more than economists had anticipated. According to […]
It looks like you are not logged in. Click the button below to log in and keep track of your recent history.
