Good Morning, Traders!…👋

U.S. stock futures edged higher Thursday as investors digested fresh earnings from major tech giants, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META).

Despite concerns over rising AI investment following the emergence of a low-cost Chinese AI model, executives at these firms remain bullish on artificial intelligence spending. Meanwhile, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) announced plans to cut costs and introduce a more affordable EV this year to counter slowing demand.

On the economic front, investors are eyeing the fourth-quarter GDP report and weekly jobless claims data due Thursday morning.

Looking ahead, Friday’s personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index— the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge— will be a key focus for markets as they assess the central bank’s wait-and-see stance on future rate cuts.

Happening Today

✓ 08:30 AM ET – Initial Jobless Claims

✓ 08:30 AM ET – GDP (QoQ) (Q4)

✓ 10:00 AM ET – Pending Home Sales (MoM) (Dec)

PREMARKET SNAPSHOT 📈

Market futures are up, with the S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ all posting solid gains.

SECTOR SNAPSHOT✨

Yesterday tech stocks pulled back after recent gains, weighing on the market, while communication services and utilities managed slight gains. Consumer discretionary dipped alongside health care, industrials, and real estate, reflecting broader market caution. Energy saw a modest uptick, but financials remained flat, and materials slipped slightly, indicating mixed sentiment across sectors.

PreMarket Unusual Volume Stocks

📈 Alterity Therapeutics Ltd ADR (ATHE) is experiencing a sharp pre-market surge, with volume reaching 3.32 million shares—well above its average of 70,820. The stock has climbed 89.00%, reflecting strong early trading momentum.

📈 NanoVibronix Inc (NAOV) has recorded an extraordinary pre-market volume of 28.65 million shares, far exceeding its average of 1.52 million. The stock is up 53.85%, highlighting significant investor interest.

📈 MGO Global Inc (MGOL) is seeing heightened pre-market activity, with volume surging to 27.55 million shares, compared to its average of 4.13 million. The stock is up 28.02%, showing strong early gains.

📈 Banzai International Inc (BNZI) has posted a pre-market volume of 8.18 million shares, significantly above its average of 2.22 million. The stock has gained 41.97%, indicating increased speculative interest.

📈 X4 Pharmaceuticals Inc (XFOR) has recorded a pre-market volume of 14.66 million shares, surpassing its average of 4.51 million. The stock is up 6.60%, demonstrating moderate upward momentum.

Premarket Picks

Tectonic Therapeutic, Inc. (TECX) saw a significant surge of 56.61%, with shares reaching $40.28 after announcing positive interim data from its Phase 1b trial for TX45 in patients with Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension in HFpEF.

OFG Bancorp (OFG) rose by 18.94%, with shares trading at $51.49. This increase comes after the company’s Board of Directors approved a 20% increase in its regular quarterly cash dividend, raising it to $0.30 per share for the quarter ending March 31, 2025.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) gained 8.67%, with shares reaching $248.46 following the announcement of a collaboration agreement with Telefónica Tech to advance quantum-safe technology.

SEALSQ Corp (LAES) experienced a 5.49% increase, with shares rising to $3.46. This growth comes as the company reaffirms its commitment to expanding its footprint in the U.S. through the planned establishment of a semiconductor manufacturing facility under SEALSQ USA.

Below is a complete list of hot stocks in pre-market today:

Top Upgrades:

1. The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

Analyst Firm: Jefferies
Upgraded: Hold to Buy
Price Target: $75
Yesterday's Close: $62.83

Analyst firm Jefferies has upgraded Coca-Cola from Hold to Buy, with a price target of $75, up from yesterday's close of $62.83. This represents a potential upside of 19.3%.

The stock price target for The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is set with a high of $85.00, a median of $72.00, and a low of $59.60, giving an average target of $72.20. The Coca-Cola Company is a global leader in the beverage industry, manufacturing, marketing, and selling a wide range of nonalcoholic beverages worldwide.

2. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW)

Analyst Firm: Stifel
Upgraded: Hold to Buy
Price Target: $90
Yesterday's Close: $71.13

Stifel has upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from Hold to Buy, setting a price target of $90, compared to yesterday's close of $71.13. This implies a potential upside of 26.5%.

For Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW), analysts have a high stock price target of $90.00, a median of $78.00, and a low of $68.00. The average target stands at $79.36. Edwards Lifesciences specializes in products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, serving markets in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and globally.

3. Corning Incorporated (GLW)

Analyst Firm: HSBC
Upgraded: Hold to Buy
Price Target: $60
Yesterday's Close: $49.80

HSBC has upgraded Corning from Hold to Buy, with a price target of $60, based on its last close of $49.80 yesterday. This suggests a potential upside of 20.4%.

The stock price target for Corning Incorporated (GLW) is expected to range from a high of $65.00 to a low of $49.00, with an average target of $56.92 and a median of $58.00. Corning is known for its expertise in display technology, optical communications, environmental tech, specialty materials, and life sciences on a global scale.

Happy investing,

Maeve Grace
Editor In Chief
Premium Stock Alerts

Important: This newsletter does not provide investment advice. The stocks mentioned should not be taken as recommendations. Your investments are solely your decisions.

Disclosure: I hold no positions in any companies mentioned, either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.