Good Morning, Traders!…👋

Stock futures ticked higher Wednesday as investors brace for major tech earnings and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, while still weighing the market impact of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s low-cost model that rattled sentiment earlier this week.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) are set to report after today’s closing bell, with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) following on Thursday.

These reports will offer key insights into the strength of the AI-driven rally that has fueled market gains. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged in its first policy decision of 2025.

Investors will closely monitor Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for any signals on future rate cuts. Elsewhere, oil prices steadied following a rise in U.S. crude stockpiles, adding to existing concerns over global growth and the potential impact of President Trump’s proposed tariff measures.

Happening Today

✓ 08:30 AM ET – Goods Trade Balance (Dec)

✓ 08:30 AM ET – Retail Inventories Ex Auto (Dec)

✓ 10:30 AM ET – Crude Oil Inventories

✓ 02:00 PM ET – FOMC Statement & Fed Interest Rate Decision

PREMARKET SNAPSHOT 📈

Market futures are mixed, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ showing gains, while the Dow is slightly down.

SECTOR SNAPSHOT✨

Yesterday tech stocks rebounded strongly, leading the market higher, while communication services also posted gains. Consumer discretionary saw modest growth, but most other sectors struggled. Consumer staples, energy, financials, and industrials faced declines, while real estate and utilities continued their downward trend. Health care and materials also slipped, reflecting a cautious market sentiment outside the tech-driven rally.

PreMarket Unusual Volume Stocks

📈 Envirotech Vehicles Inc (EVTV) is witnessing an exceptional pre-market surge, with trading volume reaching 3.57 million shares, compared to its average of just 43,240. This heightened activity has driven the stock price up by 75.75%, reflecting strong early momentum.

📈 Lucas GC Ltd (LGCL) is experiencing a sharp rise in pre-market trading, with volume soaring to 17.65 million shares—far exceeding its average of 252,100. The stock has climbed 47.99%, indicating strong investor interest.

📈 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Inc (SXTP) has posted a substantial pre-market volume of 15.09 million shares against an average of 701,030. The stock is up 81.63%, positioning it as a major gainer in early trading.

📈 Silexion Therapeutics Corp (SLXN) is seeing a significant pre-market volume of 9.33 million shares, nearly doubling its average of 5.19 million. The stock has risen 23.70%, suggesting bullish sentiment.

📈 Prestige Wealth Inc (PWM) has recorded a pre-market volume of 929,653 shares, slightly surpassing its average of 846,410. The stock is up 9.35%, showing moderate early strength.

Premarket Picks

Ponce Financial Group, Inc. (PDLB) saw a pre-market surge of 56.04%, with its stock price reaching $20.66 after the company announced its fourth-quarter 2024 results.

60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SXTP) experienced a significant pre-market jump of 92.00%, bringing its stock price to $1.48, following the announcement of IRB approval for a Phase II study evaluating Tafenoquine for chronic babesiosis.

Silexion Therapeutics Corp (SLXN) saw a pre-market increase of 31.11%, with its stock price reaching $1.77, after the company shared promising new preclinical data for SIL-204, its next-generation siRNA therapeutic candidate.

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (FFIE) rose by 22.96% in pre-market trading, with its stock price reaching $1.66 after announcing the receipt of full net proceeds from the $30 million financing deal completed in December 2024.

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

Top Upgrades:

1. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF)

Analyst Firm: Barclays
Upgraded: Equal-Weight to Overweight
Price Target: $85
Yesterday's Close: $58.33

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) was upgraded by Barclays from Equal-Weight to Overweight, with a revised price target of $85, representing a potential upside of 45.8% based on yesterday’s closing price of $58.33.

Analysts have set the stock price target for Brighthouse Financial between $41.00 and $64.00, with a median of $52.00. The average target price is $52.44. Brighthouse Financial, Inc. provides annuity and life insurance products across the United States.

2. Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN)

Analyst Firm: Mizuho
Upgraded: Underperform to Neutral
Price Target: $290
Yesterday's Close: $281.82

Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN) received an upgrade from Mizuho, moving from Underperform to Neutral, with a new price target of $290, reflecting a potential upside of 3.0% from its close of $281.82.

The stock price target for Coinbase Global ranges from $185.00 to $420.00, with a median of $282.00. The average price target is $298.13. Coinbase Global, Inc. offers financial infrastructure and technology solutions to support the crypto economy both in the U.S. and internationally.

3. Nextracker Inc. (NXT)

Analyst Firm: Barclays
Upgraded: Equal-Weight to Overweight
Price Target: $60
Yesterday's Close: $39.62

Nextracker Inc. (NXT) saw its rating raised by Barclays from Equal-Weight to Overweight, with an updated price target of $60, indicating a potential upside of 51.3% from yesterday's close of $39.62.

Analysts estimate Nextracker’s stock price target to be between $39.00 and $69.00, with a median of $54.00. The average target price is also $54.00. Nextracker Inc. specializes in solar tracker and software solutions for utility-scale and distributed solar projects globally.

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.