5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower after tech stocks continued their rally Wednesday; Walmart (WMT) shares are rising after the retail giant reported better-than-expected profit and maintained its full-year outlook; investors are following remarks today from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, as well as retail sales and wholesale inflation data; UnitedHealth Group (UNH) shares are dropping on a report that the Justice Department is investigating the company for possible criminal Medicare fraud; and Foot Locker (FL) shares are skyrocketing after the retailer agreed to be purchased by Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS). Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Lower After Tech Stocks Rally Continued Wednesday

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower after tech stocks furthered their rally Wednesday. Nasdaq futures are down 0.5% after the tech-focused index extended its winning streak to six sessions yesterday. S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are down 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is declining to trade around $102,000. The 10-year Treasury yield is slightly lower. Oil futures are down 3.5%, while gold futures are edging lower.

2. Walmart Stock Gains on Better-Than-Expected Profit

Shares of Walmart (WMT) are up 2% in premarket trading after the retail giant’s quarterly profit came in better than analysts had expected and it backed its full-year projections. Walmart reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.61 on revenue that increased 2.5% year-over-year to $165.61 billion, while analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha had expected $0.58 and $165.99 billion, respectively. Walmart kept its fiscal 2026 guidance in place, and said it expects second-quarter net sales to increase by 3.5% to 4.5% in constant currency. Walmart shares entered the day up 7% this year.

3. Investors Watching Powell Remarks, Retail Sales, PPI Data Today

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who faces pressure from President Donald Trump over the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged, is expected to deliver remarks at 8:40 a.m. ET. Investors will also be watching the release of U.S. retail sales data for April at 8:30 a.m. ET, which comes as consumer confidence polls have been slagging. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswire expect retail sales to have increased by 0.1%, slowing from last month’s reading of a 1.4% rise. Economists are also watching the April Producer Price Index figure, which is expected to show wholesale prices rose 0.3% month-over-month.

4. UnitedHealth Group Stock Sinks on Report of DOJ Probe

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) shares are dropping 5% in premarket trading on a report that the health insurance giant is being investigated for possible criminal Medicare fraud by the Justice Department. The Wall Street Journal reported that the healthcare-fraud unit of the DOJ’s criminal division is overseeing the probe, which is focused on the company’s Medicare Advantage business and has been active “since at least last summer.” The report comes two days after UnitedHealth Group shares plummeted 18% after CEO Andrew Witty stepped down and the firm suspended its 2025 outlook. Its shares are down nearly 40% this year entering Thursday.

5. Foot Locker Stock Soars, Dick’s Sporting Goods Shares Sink After Merger Agreement

Foot Locker (FL) shares are soaring more than 80% in premarket trading after the footwear retailer agreed to be purchased by Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) in a deal valued at around $2.4 billion. Foot Locker shareholders can receive either $24 in cash for each share or exchange it for 0.1168 shares of Dick’s common stock. The deal “is expected to close in the second half of 2025,” the companies said. Foot Locker shares, which closed at $12.87 on Wednesday, are trading at around $23.50 before the bell. Dick’s shares, which closed at $209.61 yesterday, are sinking nearly 10%.