U.S. stock futures are pointing lower after indexes neared or set all-time highs yesterday; Novo Nordisk (NVO) stock is jumping in premarket trading after the drugmaker reported positive trial results for its amycretin weight-loss drug; Boeing (BA) stock is moving lower after the plane maker projected a wider-than-expected loss; American Express (AXP) reported fourth-quarter results that mostly met analyst projections;Â and Verizon Communications (VZ) reported Q4 revenue and profit above expectations. Here’s what investors need to know today.
1. US Stock Futures Point Lower After Indexes Neared or Set All-Time Highs
U.S. stock futures are pointing lower after major indexes neared or set all-time highs yesterday on encouraging earnings reports and comments from President Donald Trump. S&P 500 futures are ticking lower after the index hit a record closing high yesterday, while Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also are pointing lower after they approached their own all-time closing highs. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) gained more than 1% to trade above $105,000, while yields on the 10-year Treasury note are little changed. Oil and gold futures are higher.
2. Novo Nordisk Stock Surges on Weight-Loss Drug Trial Results
U.S.-listed shares of Ozempic and Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk (NVO) are jumping 14% in premarket trading after the Danish drugmaker reported positive Phase 1b/2a clinical trial results for its amycretin weight-loss treatment. The tests showed that amycretin, which is delivered once weekly through an injection, results in weight loss of up to 22% on 20mg after 36 weeks. U.S.-listed shares of the company have declined more than 20% over the past 12 months as investors raised concerns over other trial results.
3. Boeing Stock Slips After Plane Maker Forecasts Wider-Than-Expected Loss
Boeing (BA) stock is slipping more than 1% in premarket trading after the struggling aerospace firm projected a much wider-than-estimated fourth-quarter loss following a nearly two-month strike that crippled production. In preliminary results released Thursday, Boeing said it anticipates recording a fourth-quarter loss of $5.46 per share—far larger than the $1.40-per-share Visible Alpha consensus—when it issues its results next Tuesday. Boeing’s projected revenue of $15.2 billion was also less than analysts’ estimate of $16.3 billion.
4. American Express Q4 Results Mostly in Line With Estimates
American Express (AXP) stock is edging lower in premarket trading after the financial services firm reported fiscal 2024 fourth-quarter results mostly in line with analysts’ expectations. The credit card giant reported quarterly net income of $2.17 billion, or $3.04 per share, on revenue of $17.18 billion. Analysts polled by Visible Alpha had expected profit of $2.17 billion, or $3.05 per share, on revenue of $17.17 billion. CEO Stephen Squeri said the company saw “stronger spending from our consumer and commercial customers during the holiday season.”
5. Verizon Tops Q4 Estimates as Number of Wireless Subscribers Grows
Verizon Communications (VZ) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results as the number of wireless subscribers. Verizon posted consolidated net income of $5.11 billion, or $1.18 per share, on $35.68 billion in revenue, while analysts polled by Visible Alpha expected profit of $4.74 billion, or $1.09 per share, on $35.36 billion in revenue. Verizon added a net 568,000 wireless and 408,000 broadband customers in Q4 after gaining 449,000 and 413,000 subscribers, respectively, a year ago. Verizon shares were little changed in premarket trading.