5 Essential Insights to Consider Before the Market Opens

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U.S. stock futures are showing little movement as investors await the release of crucial jobs data anticipated this morning. The report is predicted to reveal a slowdown in job growth for January, with the unemployment rate expected to hold steady at 4.1%. In premarket activities, Amazon (AMZN) shares are experiencing a decline following a disappointing revenue outlook from the e-commerce giant, while Pinterest (PINS) shares are on the rise following a report of significant user growth. Conversely, E.l.f. Beauty (ELF) is facing a downturn after revising its sales outlook downward due to weaker sales in January. Here’s what investors should keep an eye on today.

1. US Stock Futures Steady Ahead of Upcoming Jobs Report

U.S. stock futures are relatively unchanged as market participants prepare for a pivotal jobs report. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average concluded Thursday’s session with values less than 1% away from their all-time closing highs, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq index sits approximately 2% below its record finish. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) has seen a slight increase of 1%, and both oil and gold futures are experiencing upward momentum. Meanwhile, yields on the 10-year Treasury note remain stable, hovering just above 4.4%.

2. Anticipated US Jobs Report Indicates Slower Job Growth

According to projections, U.S. employers are expected to announce an addition of 169,000 jobs in January when the employment report is published at 8:30 a.m. ET. This figure, derived from economists consulted by The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires, indicates a notable decline from the unexpectedly high numbers recorded in December. The unemployment rate is anticipated to remain at 4.1%. Federal Reserve officials are monitoring these employment statistics closely, having cited robust labor market conditions as a factor in their recent decision to maintain interest rates during their last meeting.

3. Amazon’s Stock Declines Due to Underwhelming Revenue Forecast

In premarket trading, Amazon (AMZN) shares have fallen by 3% following the release of its fourth-quarter results, which, while exceeding estimates, came with disappointing revenue guidance. The company reported net sales of $187.8 billion alongside earnings of $20 billion, equating to $1.86 per share, which surpassed expectations. However, its forecast for first-quarter revenue, projected to be between $151 billion and $155.5 billion, fell short of the anticipated $158.58 billion, attributed largely to “an unusually large, unfavorable impact” from currency exchange rates.

4. Pinterest Experiences Stock Surge on Strong Revenue and User Growth

Pinterest (PINS) shares surged by 20% in premarket trading after the social media platform reported impressive growth in both revenue and monthly active users. The company announced record-breaking revenue exceeding $1 billion for the first time, reaching $1.15 billion, which marks an 18% increase year-over-year and narrowly surpassed analyst estimates. Additionally, Pinterest recorded an 11% rise in global monthly active users, reaching a record high of 553 million.

5. E.l.f. Beauty’s Stock Drops Following Revised Sales Outlook

E.l.f. Beauty (ELF) stock is down more than 25% in premarket trading after the cosmetics retailer revised its fiscal 2025 outlook downward, citing disappointing sales figures in January. The company has forecast full-year sales between $1.3 billion and $1.31 billion, which falls short of its previous estimate of $1.315 billion to $1.335 billion and also misses the Visible Alpha consensus. In the past year, E.l.f. Beauty shares have seen nearly a 50% decline as of Thursday.

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