5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are pointing higher to end the week; U.S.-listed shares of Novo Nordisk (NVO) are falling after the pharma firm said CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen is stepping down; Charter Communications (CHTR) shares are jumping after it agrees to buy cable rival Cox Communications in a deal that values the privately held firm at $34.5 billion; Applied Materials (AMAT) shares are sinking after it reported another drop in revenue from China; and Meta Platforms (META) reportedly is pushing back the launch of its “Behemoth” AI model. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Higher to End Week

U.S. stock futures are pointing higher to end the week as investors await the latest consumer sentiment survey results. S&P 500 futures are up by 0.3% as the benchmark index looks to extend its four-session winning streak. Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq futures are pointing higher by roughly similar percentages. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is moving higher to trade at just under $104,000, and oil futures also are rising. Gold futures and the 10-year Treasury yield are declining.

2. Novo Nordisk Stock Falls on News CEO Stepping Down

Pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk (NVO) announced that CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen will step down from the Danish maker of blockbuster weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. The company said it was in the process of searching for a replacement and that Jørgensen “will continue as CEO for a period to support a smooth transition to new leadership.” The change comes days after the company posted mixed quarterly results and lowered its 2025 revenue and profit outlook. U.S.-listed shares of Novo Nordisk, which are down 50% over the past year, are falling more than 5% in premarket trading.

3. Charter Communications to Merge With Rival Cable Firm Cox

Charter Communications (CHTR) shares are surging nearly 7% after it agreed to acquire rival cable provider Cox Communications in a deal that values the privately held firm at $34.5 billion. Charter CEO Chris Winfrey would retain his role atop the combined company, which would take on the Cox Communications name within a year of closing. Charter Communications shares are 22% higher this year entering Friday.

4. Meta Platforms Delaying Launch of ‘Behemoth’ AI Model, Report Says

Meta Platforms (META) reportedly is pushing back the launch of its “Behemoth” AI model amid concerns about whether enough improvements have been made compared with previous versions. The Facebook parent had originally planned to roll out the new version of its large language model in April, in conjunction with its LlamaCon event for AI developers, The Wall Street Journal reported. Meta shares, up about 10% this year entering Friday, were flat in premarket trading.

5. Applied Materials Stock Sinks on Weak China Sales

Applied Materials (AMAT) shares are falling 5% in premarket trading after the semiconductor equipment maker missed fiscal second-quarter revenue expectations on weak sales in China. The firm reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase to $7.1 billion, below analysts’ expectations. It was the third straight quarter that the company’s China sales fell from a year earlier.