U.S. stock futures are trading slightly higher this morning as investors cautiously await the release of the January employment data, which could influence future Federal Reserve policy.
Stocks to Watch:
- Vertiv Holdings Co.: Is up nearly 15% in pre-market trading after initiating strong Q1 and full-year 2026 guidance, signaling robust data center demand.
- Shopify Inc.: Surged almost 11% pre-market following strong Q4 results and the announcement of a new $2 billion share buyback program.
- Datadog, Inc.: Jumped over 14% after reporting Q4 revenue that significantly beat consensus estimates.
- S&P Global Inc.: Fell over 6% after its 2026 adjusted earnings per share forecast missed analyst expectations.
Looking ahead, the January jobs report will be the primary focus. Data on nonfarm payrolls, unemployment, and wage growth will be closely monitored for signals regarding the health of the economy and the potential for future interest rate cuts.