Good Morning, Traders!…👋

U.S. stock futures were steady early Wednesday as investors awaited a key inflation report that could shape the Federal Reserve's interest rate trajectory for the year.

The January Consumer Price Index (CPI) is scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. ET, with economists expecting a 0.3% monthly increase and an annual rate holding steady at 2.9%, according to Reuters.

Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, is projected to rise 0.3% month-over-month and ease to 3.1% year-over-year. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to begin his second day of testimony before Congress shortly after the CPI data release.

On Tuesday, Powell reiterated the Fed’s cautious stance, signaling no immediate plans to cut interest rates, while avoiding comments on the potential economic impact of President Donald Trump’s recent tariff measures.

This CPI report will be the last before the full effects of Trump’s tariffs, which took effect earlier this month, start to influence inflation readings.

Happening Today

✓ 08:30 AM ET – Core CPI (MoM) (YoY) (Jan)

✓ 10:00 AM ET – Fed Chair Powell Testifies

✓ 10:30 AM ET – Crude Oil Inventories

✓ 01:00 PM ET – 10-Year Note Auction

✓ 02:00 PM ET – Federal Budget Balance (Jan)

PREMARKET SNAPSHOT 📈

As of February 12, 2025, U.S. stock index futures are subdued as investors await the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which could influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions.

SECTOR SNAPSHOT✨

Yesterday markets delivered a mixed performance, with Consumer Discretionary and Health Care slipping, while Energy and Consumer Staples posted solid gains. Financials and Materials edged higher, along with Real Estate and Industrials, which saw marginal upticks. Information Technology remained resilient, and Utilities continued their upward trend. Communication Services lagged slightly, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.

PreMarket Unusual Volume Stocks

📈 Mynaric AG ADR (MYNA) has traded 26,336,278 shares pre-market, significantly surpassing its average volume of 1,180,240. The stock is up 19.43%, currently at $0.32.

📈 Kindly MD Inc (KDLY) is seeing early action with 8,769,274 shares exchanged, well above its average of 397,750. The stock has gained 22.40%, now priced at $1.74.

📈 Windtree Therapeutics Inc (WINT) is experiencing a major volume surge, trading 63,361,890 shares compared to its 4,771,540 average. The stock is up 50.69%, priced at $0.24.

📈 Omega Therapeutics Inc (OMGA) is attracting attention with 18,705,933 shares traded, significantly higher than its 6,555,810 average. The stock is up 26.59%, at $0.24.

📈 Fangdd Network Group Ltd (DUO) has recorded 18,164,957 shares traded pre-market versus an average volume of 7,249,360. The stock is up 14.82%, currently at $0.65.

Premarket Picks

Mercury General Corporation (MCY) saw a pre-market price of $60.48, marking a surge of 20.74%. This increase followed the company’s announcement of its fourth-quarter and fiscal 2024 results, along with the declaration of a quarterly dividend.

Fangdd Network Group Ltd. (DUO) traded at $0.65 in the pre-market, reflecting a surge of 14.45%. The company’s surge was driven by the announcement of a US$5,000,000 Senior Convertible Notes Offering.

Nxu, Inc. (NXU) surged by 78.89%, reaching a pre-market price of $0.419. This jump came after the company announced that shareholders had approved its merger with Verde Bioresins.

AnaptysBio, Inc. (ANAB) saw its pre-market price rise to $15.39, with a gain of 24.36%. The company is set to announce top-line data from its Phase 2b trial of Rosnilimab, a PD-1 depleter and agonist, in rheumatoid arthritis on February 12, 2025.

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

Top Upgrades:

1. Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST)

Analyst Firm: B. Riley
Upgraded: Neutral to Buy
Price Target: $105
Yesterday's Close: $67.34

B. Riley analyst Hal Goetsch raised Upstart’s rating from Neutral to Buy, setting a new price target of $105, increased from $49.

Upstart Holdings, Inc. operates a cloud-based AI lending platform in the U.S. Analysts have set a stock price target range for the company, with a high of $100.00, a median of $65.00, and a low of $12.00. The average target price is $59.77.

2. EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG)

Analyst Firm: RBC Capital
Upgraded: Sector Perform to Outperform
Price Target: $155
Yesterday's Close: $132.29

RBC Capital lifted EOG Resources’ rating to Outperform from Sector Perform, revising the price target to $155, up from $150.

EOG Resources, Inc. is engaged in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas across the U.S., Trinidad and Tobago, and internationally. The stock price target for EOG has a high of $175.00, a median of $145.00, and a low of $128.00. The average price target is $148.03.

3. Compass Minerals International, Inc. (CMP)

Analyst Firm: JPMorgan
Upgraded: Neutral to Overweight
Price Target: $15
Yesterday's Close: $11.42

JPMorgan upgraded Compass Minerals to Overweight from Neutral, with a new price target of $15, up from $13.

Compass Minerals International, Inc. supplies essential minerals across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and globally. Analysts have set a stock price target for Compass Minerals with a high of $18.00, a median of $17.00, and a low of $14.00. The average target price is $16.33.

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.