5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are pointing sharply higher as market watchers focus on corporate earnings; Microsoft (MSFT) shares are jumping in premarket trading after the company reported strong artificial intelligence (AI) cloud revenue; Meta Platforms (META) shares are rising as advertising revenue helped boost results; Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) are set to report earnings after the bell; and Tesla’s (TSLA) chair denies a report that the board had begun a search to succeed CEO Elon Musk. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Surge as Investors Digest Corporate Earnings

U.S. stock futures are pointing sharply higher as investors focus on a parade of corporate earnings reports. S&P 500 futures and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up by 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively, as the indexes rose yesterday for a seventh consecutive session. Nasdaq futures are jumping by 1.8% after the tech-focused index shed 0.1% yesterday. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is rising to trade above $96,000. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note are declining to around 4.15%. Oil and gold futures are down more than 2%.

2. Microsoft Stock Jumps on Strong AI Cloud Growth

Microsoft (MSFT) shares are surging about 9% in premarket trading after the software giant reported quarterly revenue and profit that surpassed analysts’ expectations. The tech titan reported revenue increased 13% year-over-year to $70.07 billion and profit of $3.46 per share, both above Visible Alpha consensus. Intelligent Cloud segment revenue jumped 21% to $26.75 billion and Microsoft said it expected the unit to deliver 20% to 22% growth in the current quarter. While Microsoft shares have risen 15% from their April low, they remain down 6% since the start of the year entering Thursday.

3. Meta Stock Surges as Ad Revenue Helps Boost Results

Meta Platforms (META) stock is jumping 6% in premarket trading after the social media giant reported better-than-expected quarterly results on strong advertising growth. The Facebook parent brought in revenue of $42.31 billion, up 16% year-over-year and above the analyst consensus from Visible Alpha, while its net income of $6.43 per share also topped projections. Advertising revenue grew 16% to $41.39 billion, also beating estimates. Facebook said it plans to boost its capital expenditures this year to $64 billion to $72 billion to grow its AI capacity. Meta’s stock was down 6% for the year entering Thursday.

4. Apple, Amazon Slated to Report Results After Closing Bell

Microsoft’s and Meta’s fellow “Magnificent Seven” companies Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN) are scheduled to report quarterly results after markets close today. Analysts polled by Visible Alpha expect Apple to report fiscal second-quarter revenue grew 4% year-over-year to $94.66 billion and earnings per share of $1.62, up from $1.53. Amazon is seen reporting first-quarter revenue of $155 billion, up 8%, and adjusted EPS of $1.75, up from $1.46. Shares of Apple are 1% lower in premarket trading, while Amazon shares are 3% higher.

5. Tesla Denies Report That Board Opened Search for CEO Replacement

Tesla (TSLA) chair Robyn Denholm on Thursday denied a report that the EV maker’s board members had started a formal process to find a successor for CEO Elon Musk.The Wall Street Journal reported that board members started the search “about a month ago” as Tesla shares stumbled amid investor concerns that Musk was too focused on his role cutting federal spending as part of the White House administration. Denholm denied the Journal report, writing on Tesla’s X account that “The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk and the Board is highly confident in his ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan ahead.” Tesla shares are up less than 1% in premarket trading.