Good Morning, Traders!…👋

U.S. stock index futures ticked slightly lower Tuesday as investors remained cautious amid ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China in London. The talks, which began Monday, have carried into a second day, fueling hopes that both nations are inching closer to a broader de-escalation in tariffs.

Monday’s session on Wall Street was muted as market participants kept a close eye on the negotiations between the world’s two largest economies. Optimism is building that the May agreement to temporarily cut tariffs may pave the way for a more permanent resolution.

With little economic data on the calendar today, traders are already looking ahead to Wednesday’s key release of the consumer price index, which could provide further insight into inflation trends and interest rate expectations.

Meanwhile, oil prices inched higher as energy markets closely watch the trade discussions, hopeful that easing tensions could support global demand.

Earnings Watch

Earnings hit today from J.M. Smucker $SJM, Academy Sports $ASO, and United Natural Foods $UNFI before open, plus GameStop $GME and GitLab $GTLB after close.

Analysts expect SJM to post $2.23 EPS with packaged food strength, ASO to hit $0.87 EPS, UNFI at $0.22 EPS, GME to deliver $0.04 EPS with retail buzz, and GTLB at -$0.01 EPS.

Happening Today

✓ 11:00 AM ET – NY Fed 1-Year Consumer Inflation Expectations (May)

✓ 01:00 PM ET – 3-Year Note Auction

✓ 04:00 PM ET – U.S. President Trump Speaks

✓ 04:30 PM ET – API Weekly Crude Oil Stock

PREMARKET SNAPSHOT 📈

U.S. equity futures are holding modest gains this morning—S&P up 0.09%, Dow flat, Nasdaq +0.11%—as markets await fresh signals from U.S.–China trade discussions in London and digest the latest U.S. inflation data.

SECTOR SNAPSHOT✨

Markets were mixed across sectors. Consumer discretionary extended its rally with a 1.08% gain, while energy and materials also edged higher. Tech rose 0.25%, continuing its steady climb. However, defensive sectors like utilities and consumer staples slipped, and financials dropped 0.55%. Real estate and health care also saw mild declines. Overall, a modestly bullish tilt with strength in cyclicals offset by softness in defensives.

PreMarket Unusual Volume Stocks

📈 Carisma Therapeutics, Inc. ($CARM) surged 71.21% to $0.2268 on volume of 38.55M—up a staggering 19,854.38% from average—signaling explosive trader interest.

📈 Marin Software Incorporated ($MRIN) jumped 77.65% to $0.8500 with 11.04M shares traded, showing an 8,811.18% increase in volume.

📈 Klotho Neurosciences, Inc. ($KLTO) gained 59.89% to $1.82 on 32.79M shares—volume spiked 3,870.56%, making it one of the most active small-caps this morning.

📈 Nuwellis, Inc. ($NUWE) added 13.04% to $0.2300 on 24.12M shares—1,660.86% above average—maintaining strong momentum.

📈 La Rosa Holdings Corp. ($LRHC) rose 7.13% to $0.1291 with 521.31K in volume, reflecting a 644.77% increase over its norm.

Premarket Picks

Klotho Neurosciences, Inc. (KLTO) surged 63.19% to $2.97 in pre-market trading after releasing promising pre-clinical study results suggesting that boosting the Klotho gene may slow aging in multiple organs.

Nuwellis, Inc. (NUWE) rose 23.17% to $0.28 after announcing the pricing of a $4.3 million underwritten public offering.

Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) gained 15.57% to $1.41 following news that CFO Paul Middleton purchased an additional 650,000 shares of the company’s stock on the open market.

Marin Software Incorporated (MRIN) skyrocketed 91.76% to $1.63 after filing an 8-K form with the SEC, though no further details were immediately provided.

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

Top Upgrades:

1. Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM)

Analyst Firm: Redburn Atlantic
Upgraded: Neutral to Buy
Price Target: $177
Yesterday's Close: $143.14

Redburn Atlantic raised its rating for Yum! Brands from Neutral to Buy, setting a target price of $177. Yum! Brands (YUM) has an average price target of $160.43, with estimates ranging from a high of $185.00 to a low of $140.00. The company operates and franchises fast-food restaurants worldwide.

2. The Macerich Company (MAC)

Analyst Firm: Mizuho
Upgraded: Neutral to Outperform
Price Target: $18
Yesterday's Close: $16.43

Mizuho upgraded Macerich from Neutral to Outperform, with a new price target of $18. Macerich (MAC) has an average price target of $18.44, with a high estimate of $25.00 and a low of $13.70. It is a self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT).

3. QuantaSing Group Limited (QSG)

Analyst Firm: Citi
Upgraded: Neutral to Buy
Price Target: $9.52
Yesterday's Close: $6.95

Citi analyst Alice Cai increased her rating for QuantaSing from Neutral to Buy, lifting the price target from $6.10 to $9.52. QuantaSing (QSG) has an average price target of $5.13, with analysts projecting a high of $7.88 and a low of $2.12. The company provides online learning services in China.

Happy investing,

Maeve Grace
Editor In Chief
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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.