5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower as investors monitor oil prices after reports of rising tensions in the Middle East; shares of Lowe’s (LOW) are gaining in premarket trading after the home-improvement retailer reported strong profit and affirmed its full-year outlook; Target (TGT) shares are falling after the retailer cut its full-year sales outlook; Apple (AAPL) restores Epic Games’ “Fortnite” to its U.S. App Store after five years; and Kraft Heinz (KHC) says it is “evaluating potential strategic transactions to unlock shareholder value.” Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Lower After Indexes’ Recent Rally Pauses

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower after major indexes fell in the prior session as a recent rally took a breather. Investors are watching as oil futures rise on a report that Israel could strike nuclear sites in Iran, raising tensions in the oil-rich Middle East. S&P 500 futures are 0.6% lower after the benchmark index declined by 0.4% Tuesday to snap a six-session winning streak. Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq futures are 0.8% and 0.6% lower, respectively, after those indexes also finished in the red yesterday. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is little changed at around $106,700. Gold futures and the 10-year Treasury yield are rising.

2. Lowe’s Stock Rises on Better-Than-Expected Profit, Affirmed Full-Year Outlook

Lowe’s Cos. (LOW) shares are up 2% in premarket trading after the home-improvement retailer reported first-quarter profit that was better than analysts expected and affirmed its full-year outlook. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.92 on net sales that fell 2% year-over-year to $20.93 billion. Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha expected $2.86 and $20.93 billion, respectively. Lowe’s also backed its fiscal 2025 outlook released last quarter, which included sales of $83.5 billion to $84.5 billion and EPS of $12.15 to $12.40.

3. Target Stock Falls as Retailer Cuts Full-Year Sales Outlook

Target (TGT) shares are down 4% in premarket trading after it lowered its full-year revenue projections amid a drop in sales. The company cuts its fiscal 2025 sales forecast to a low-single-digit decline after previously having projected roughly 1% growth, and widened its expected profit range. The Minneapolis-based retailer posted first-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.30 on revenue that decreased nearly 3% year-over-year to $23.85 billion, both worse than expected. However, Target’s GAAP EPS of $2.27, which includes the gains from litigation settlements, topped estimates.

4. Apple Restores Fortnite to US App Store After 5 Years

Apple (AAPL) approved the return of the “Fortnite” video game to its U.S. app store, five years after the iPhone maker blocked the popular Epic Games title. The move follows a federal judge’s ruling earlier this month that Apple violated an antitrust ruling when it blocked the game because it directed users to an alternative payment platform that avoided Apple’s 30% commission structure. The news comes days after Epic Games said Apple had blocked its submission to return to the App Store domestically and Epic Games Store internationally. Apple shares are edging lower in premarket trading.

5. Kraft Heinz ‘Evaluating Potential Strategic Transactions’

Kraft Heinz (KHC) shares are edging higher in premarket trading after the food products maker said its board and leadership team “have been evaluating potential strategic transactions to unlock shareholder value.” Kraft Heinz said it “has not set a timetable for completion of this process.”
The company also said that two board members representing Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A; BRK.B) left the board, reducing its size to 10 members.