5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

News of the day for October 31, 2024

U.S. stock futures are down as market watchers evaluate disappointing earnings from Magnificent Seven firms; Meta Platforms (META) shares are falling in premarket trading despite beating earnings estimates as spending levels worry investors; Microsoft (MSFT) stock is down after its cloud services revenue came in below analysts’ expectations; the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation index for September is due today as the Federal Reserve considers more interest-rate cuts; and Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), and Intel (INTC) are set to report earnings after the close. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Lower as Tech Tumble Spooks Investors

U.S. stock futures are trading lower after disappointing earnings from Mag 7 firms after the close Wednesday left investors rattled. The Nasdaq is down almost 1% in premarket trading, after the tech-focused index hit an all-time high during intraday trading yesterday before finishing lower. S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also are down less than 1%. Gold futures are slightly lower after hitting a record high yesterday, while bitcoin is little changed as it stays near its record high. Oil futures are up less than 1%.

2. Meta Stock Falls After Raising Projected Spending Levels

Shares of Meta Platforms (META) are 3% lower in premarket trading after the social media giant said it would ramp up spending as it invests in artificial intelligence (AI). The Facebook parent reported $40.59 billion in revenue, up from $34.15 billion the same time last year and above the $40.27 billion analysts had expected, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Meta posted $15.69 billion in net income, up from $11.58 billion and better than the $13.58 billion analysts had projected. The company also raised the bottom of its full-year capital expenditures outlook range to $38 billion from $37 billion.

3. Microsoft Stock Drops as Cloud Revenue Growth Misses Estimates

Microsoft (MSFT) shares are declining 4% in premarket trading after the tech giant’s cloud services revenue growth was lower than analysts’ projections. The company’s third-quarter revenue was up 16% year-over-year to $65.59 billion, better than the consensus from Visible Alpha, while its net income of $24.67 billion, or $3.30 per share, was higher than expectations. But while Microsoft’s cloud segment brought in revenue of $24.09 billion, a 20% increase, it was short of estimates of $28.97 billion.

4. September Inflation Data Comes as Fed Eyes More Rate Cuts

Market watchers will get key inflation data today at 8:30 a.m. with the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index for September. The economic indicator is expected to show inflation fell to a 2.1% annual rate for the month, according to economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires. It would be a decline from the prior month and put the inflation rate at its lowest level in three years. The data comes ahead of next week’s meeting of the Federal Reserve, where officials could again lower interest rates as inflation moves closer to the central bank’s target of 2%.

5. Big Tech Earnings Continue With Amazon, Apple, Intel After Close

Investors will get more Big Tech earnings after markets close today, with Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL) and Intel (INTC) all set to report. Amazon is expected to post a 25% year-over-year profit jump to $12.32 billion, as investors are likely to scrutinize the online retailer’s earnings for its AI spending. Apple is expected to show a 5% revenue increase in its report, the first since the company released its AI-powered iPhone 16 in September. And analysts are expecting struggling chipmaker Intel to report a net loss of almost $1 billion and an 8% decline in revenue. Shares of Amazon and Apple are slightly lower in premarket trading, while those of Intel are slightly higher.