Good Morning, Traders!…👋

U.S. stock futures are down early Friday as the market takes a pause following Wednesday’s inflation-driven rally.

The S&P 500 snapped a two-day losing streak, rebounding after November’s consumer price index (CPI) report met expectations. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite hit a significant milestone, closing above 20,000 for the first time, fueled by strong gains in Tesla, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms.

Consumer prices rose at an annual rate of 2.7% in November, up from 2.6% in October. While still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, the data bolstered expectations for a quarter-point rate cut next week, with CME’s FedWatch Tool assigning a 99% probability.

However, the rally wasn’t widespread. On the S&P 500, 264 stocks declined, 234 advanced, and 3 were unchanged, with the Magnificent 7 tech giants driving most of the gains.

As futures point lower this morning, the boost from inflation data appears to be fading. Stay tuned for more updates as the day unfolds.

Happening Today

✓ 08:30 AM ET – Initial Jobless Claims

✓ 08:30 AM ET – PPI (MoM) (Nov)

✓ 01:00 PM ET – 30-Year Bond Auction

✓ 04:30 PM ET – Fed's Balance Sheet

PREMARKET SNAPSHOT 📈

Market futures are down, with the S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ all showing declines.

SECTOR SNAPSHOT✨

Yesterday, Communication Services led the gains with a notable 3.08% increase, while Consumer Discretionary also performed well, rising 2.02%. Information Technology followed closely, climbing 1.50%. On the downside, Health Care and Utilities were among the worst performers, dropping 1.30% and 0.57%, respectively. Consumer Staples also ended lower, down 0.63%. Energy managed a slight increase of 0.02%, while Financials saw a modest rise of 0.26%. Industrials and Materials both experienced slight losses, down 0.19% and 0.37%, respectively. Real Estate closed with a small decrease of 0.24%.

PreMarket Unusual Volume Stocks

📈 Palisade Bio Inc (PALI) exhibited an impressive performance, with a significant 135.00% surge, closing at $3.29. The trading volume reached 15.40 million shares, far exceeding its average of 109.30K, indicating heightened investor interest and strong buying momentum.

📈 Charles & Colvard Ltd (CTHR) posted a modest gain of 14.01%, closing at $1.79. The trading volume was 1.58 million shares, noticeably above its average of 66.72K, suggesting increased attention from traders.

📈 DBV Technologies ADR (DBVT) saw a 29.79% rise, finishing the session at $4.27. The trading volume of 2.71 million shares surpassed its average of 164.37K, reflecting strong market engagement.

📈 Amplitech Group Inc (AMPG) recorded a solid 21.24% gain, closing at $2.34. The trading volume hit 11.74 million shares, significantly higher than the average of 3.28 million, showcasing robust activity.

📈 Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust Inc (WHLR) ended with a 15.47% increase, closing at $5.15. The trading volume reached 1.27 million shares, exceeding its average of 539.22K, indicating sustained interest from investors.

Premarket Picks

AmpliTech Group, Inc. (AMPG) is experiencing a pre-market surge of 29.01%, with shares trading at $2.49. This increase follows the company's announcement of a $2.2 million registered direct offering, which has fueled investor optimism.

DBV Technologies S.A. (DBVT) saw a pre-market surge of 30.95%, bringing its price to $4.40. The rise comes after the company revealed the successful outcome of recent discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This communication outlines a clear regulatory pathway for the Viaskin Peanut patch program aimed at toddlers aged 1–3 years old.

Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (CTHR) pre-market price surged by 15.72%, reaching $1.84. This boost follows the company receiving an interim award in its arbitration with Wolfspeed, providing a positive outlook for future prospects.

SPAR Group, Inc. (SGRP) is up 15.59% in pre-market trading, with shares priced at $2.15. The increase is attributed to the company’s confirmation of its intent to close Highwire Capital’s proposed acquisition, which has sparked investor interest.

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

Top Upgrades:

1. Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG)

Analyst Firm: BofA
Upgrade: Neutral to Buy
Price Target: $269
Yesterday's Close: $236.60

BofA analyst Ross Fowler raised his rating on Constellation Energy to "Buy" from "Neutral," setting a target price of $269.

Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG), the largest U.S. producer of clean energy, serves businesses, homes, and public sector customers, including three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. Analysts have set the stock price target for Constellation Energy with a high of $342.00, a median of $289.89, a low of $234.00, and an average of $284.30.

2. Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)

Analyst Firm: JPMorgan
Upgrade: Neutral to Overweight
Price Target: $80
Yesterday's Close: $68.36

JPMorgan upgraded Xcel Energy to "Overweight" from "Neutral," increasing its price target to $80 from $69.

Xcel Energy provides energy to millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Analysts have given Xcel Energy a stock price target range with a high of $80.00, a median of $71.00, a low of $68.00, and an average of $73.13.

3. The Coca-Cola Company (KO)

Analyst Firm: Deutsche Bank
Upgrade: Hold to Buy
Price Target: $70
Yesterday's Close: $62.64

Deutsche Bank raised its rating on Coca-Cola to "Buy" from "Hold," with a new price target of $70, up from $68.

The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Analysts have set the stock price target for Coca-Cola with a high of $85.00, a median of $75.00, a low of $65.00, and an average of $75.10.

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.