5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are little changed as market participants watch for U.S. jobs data set for release this morning; the report is expected to show job growth slowed in January, with the unemployment rate remaining at 4.1%; Amazon (AMZN) stock is lower in premarket trading after the “Magnificent Seven” firm’s revenue forecast disappointed analysts; Pinterest (PINS) shares are surging after the social media service reported strong user growth; and E.l.f. Beauty (ELF) shares are down after the retailer lowered its outlook on soft sales in January. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Flat Ahead of January Jobs Data

U.S. tock futures are little changed ahead of a closely watched jobs report this morning. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average ended Thursday’s session less than 1% away from their all-time closing highs, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was about 2% below its record close. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is 1% higher, and oil and gold futures also are rising. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note are little changed at above 4.4%.

2. US Jobs Report Expected to Show Slower Growth

U.S. employers are expected to report having added 169,000 jobs in January when the employment report is released at 8:30 a.m. ET. The forecast from economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires would be lower than the surprisingly-high results in December. The unemployment rate is projected to remain at 4.1%. Federal Reserve officials are closely watching employment data and cited the strong U.S. labor market as one factor in its recent decision to not cut interest rates again at its most recent meeting.

3. Amazon Stock Falls on Disappointing Revenue Outlook

Amazon (AMZN) shares are 3% lower in premarket trading after the e-commerce and cloud services giant reported fourth-quarter results that topped estimates but delivered underwhelming revenue guidance. Its net sales of $187.8 billion and earnings of $20 billion, or $1.86 per share, surpassed the Visible Alpha consensus. However, its first-quarter revenue forecast of between $151 billion and $155.5 billion was below expectations of $158.58 billion, with Amazon pointing to “an unusually large, unfavorable impact” from foreign exchange rates.

4. Pinterest Stock Surges on Strong Revenue, User Growth

Pinterest (PINS) stock is jumping 20% in premarket trading after the social media service reported strong growth in revenue and monthly active users. The company reported revenue that surpassed $1 billion for the first time at $1.15 billion, up 18% year-over-year and narrowly beating Visible Alpha estimates. Pinterest also reported an 11% rise in global monthly active users to a record 553 million.

5. E.l.f. Beauty Stock Plunges on Lowered Outlook After Soft Sales

E.l.f. Beauty (ELF) stock is down more than 25% in premarket trading after the cosmetics retailer lowered its fiscal 2025 outlook following soft sales in January. The company projected full-year sales between $1.3 billion and $1.31 billion, below the $1.315 billion to $1.335 billion it had forecast earlier and undershooting the Visible Alpha consensus. E.l.f. Beauty shares had lost nearly half their value over the past 12 months through Thursday.