5 Key Facts to Be Aware of Before the Stock Market Starts

Market Overview: Stock Futures Edge Down After Record Dow Close

U.S. stock futures are showing modest declines this morning, following a robust rally on Friday that propelled the Dow Jones Industrial Average past the 50,000 mark for the first time ever. Investors are bracing for a week packed with major earnings announcements and key economic indicators. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk shares are climbing after Hims & Hers Health announced it will withdraw its compounded semaglutide pill, a move that sent Hims & Hers shares sharply lower. Kroger is also in the spotlight with its stock rising after appointing a new CEO, and STMicroelectronics is seeing gains after securing a significant supply agreement with Amazon. Here’s a summary of today’s top financial news.

Stocks Pull Back Slightly as Investors Await Busy Week

Stock futures are trading slightly lower at the start of the week as market participants prepare for a flurry of earnings releases and economic updates. Contracts tied to the Dow and S&P 500 are both down by 0.1%, while Nasdaq futures are off by 0.2%. Last Friday, the major indexes surged, with the Dow jumping 1,200 points to close above 50,000 for the first time in history. Bitcoin is trading at $69,000, having retreated from a weekend high near $72,000 but still well above last week’s low of $60,000—the lowest since late 2024. Gold futures have risen 1% to $5,030 per ounce, and WTI crude oil is up to $63.75 per barrel. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note has increased to 4.24%, compared to 4.20% at Friday’s close, impacting borrowing costs across the board.

Key Earnings Reports and Economic Data on the Horizon

This week, investors are focused on a packed schedule of corporate earnings and economic data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates. Notable companies reporting include McDonald’s, The Coca-Cola Company, Ford Motor, CVS Health, AstraZeneca, T-Mobile, Robinhood, Coinbase, Spotify Technology, and Airbnb. The January employment report is set for release on Wednesday, followed by the Consumer Price Index on Friday. The Federal Reserve, which aims to balance stable prices with maximum employment, will be closely monitoring these updates as it considers future policy moves.

Novo Nordisk Advances as Hims & Hers Withdraws Weight-Loss Medication

Novo Nordisk shares are on the rise, while Hims & Hers Health stock is plunging after the latest developments in the weight-loss drug sector. Hims & Hers announced it will discontinue its compounded semaglutide pill just days after its launch, a product that contained the same active ingredient as Novo’s FDA-approved Wegovy pill. The FDA stated on Friday that it intends to impose stricter controls on the use of GLP-1 ingredients in compounded weight-loss drugs, specifically mentioning Hims & Hers. Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Hims & Hers from selling unapproved, compounded medications that allegedly infringe on its patents, and is also seeking damages. In premarket trading, Novo Nordisk shares have jumped over 5%, while Hims & Hers has dropped 20%, reaching its lowest point since September 2024.

Kroger Shares Climb After Appointment of New Chief Executive

Kroger stock is moving higher after the grocery retailer named Greg Foran, a former Walmart executive, as its new CEO. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that Foran’s appointment was imminent. Foran previously led Walmart’s U.S. operations from 2014 to 2019 before becoming CEO of Air New Zealand. Kroger has been searching for a new leader since the departure of former CEO Rodney McMullen in March 2025 following an ethics investigation. Analysts had previously identified Foran as a strong candidate, suggesting his Walmart experience could help Kroger compete more effectively with the nation’s largest retailer. The leadership change comes amid a wave of executive transitions in the retail sector, with both Walmart and Target recently installing new CEOs. Kroger shares are up 7% in recent trading.

STMicroelectronics Surges on Major Amazon Semiconductor Deal

STMicroelectronics shares are soaring after the European semiconductor manufacturer revealed a multi-year, multi-billion dollar agreement to supply Amazon Web Services with a variety of chips. As part of the deal, STMicroelectronics has also issued warrants that would allow Amazon to purchase up to 24.8 million shares in the company over the coming years. This partnership comes as Amazon and other technology giants ramp up investments in artificial intelligence, including expanding data center infrastructure and acquiring advanced hardware. Amazon recently indicated that its capital expenditures could reach as much as $200 billion this year. U.S.-listed shares of STMicroelectronics have climbed 7%, while Amazon’s stock remains relatively unchanged after a decline last Friday following its announcement of increased spending and weaker-than-expected earnings.