5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

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  • Dec 17, 2024
5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are lower ahead of retail sales data and the start of the two-day Federal Reserve meeting; bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) reaches a new high above $107,000 as MicroStrategy ( MSTR ) continues to buy the cryptocurrency; Tesla ( TSLA ) stock adds to its fresh all-time high in premarket trading; Nvidia ( NVDA ) shares continue to slip after entering correction territory; and Broadcom ( AVGO ) stock pushes further higher after hitting a record high following its strong earnings report. Here's what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Lower Ahead of Retail Sales Data, FOMC Meeting

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower as investors await retail sales data today and brace for tomorrow's Federal Reserve interest-rate decision . Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are 0.3% lower after the blue-chip index notched its eighth consecutive losing session , its longest losing streak since 2018, while S&P 500 futures are down by a similar amount. Nasdaq futures are down 0.2% after the tech-heavy index gained more than 1% in the prior session to set a new record high. Crude and gold futures are lower by 1% and 0.5%, respectively, while yields on the 10-year Treasury note are higher, currently trading at about 4.44%.

2. Bitcoin Hits Another High as MicroStrategy Adds to Portfolio

Bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) is trading higher at just below the freshly set record high of above $107,000 as investors continue to anticipate that the new Trump administration will further lift the cryptocurrency. Investors are optimistic that the government will establish a bitcoin strategic reserve, while also creating a favorable regulatory environment for the cryptocurrency. MicroStrategy ( MSTR ) reported $1.5 billion in fresh purchases , pushing its bitcoin holdings to nearly $47 billion.

3. Tesla Stock Adds to Fresh All-Time High

Tesla ( TSLA ) stock is up about 2.5% in premarket trading after the electric vehicle (EV) maker reached a fresh all-time high yesterday, rising more than 6% to $463.02. Tesla shares jumped Monday after Wedbush lifted its price target to $515 from $400, adding the stock could reach as high as $650 by the end of next year. Tesla shares have surged about 85% since the start of the year, with essentially all of the gains coming after the Nov. 5 election on CEO Elon Musk's ties to President-elect Donald Trump.

4. Nvidia Stock Falls Further After Entering Correction Territory

Nvidia ( NVDA ) stock is about 1.6% lower in premarket trading after the chipmaker entered into correction territory yesterday. Nvidia shares ended Monday trading at $132.00, 11% lower than their record closing high of $148.88 on Nov. 7. The slump comes despite positive analysts' notes , with  Bank of America and Bernstein each calling Nvidia a "top pick," posting price targets of $190 and $175, respectively.

5. Broadcom Stock Adds to Record High Following Strong Earnings Report

Broadcom ( AVGO ) stock is up a further 0.4% in premarket trading after the chipmaker hit another all-time high yesterday, continuing its post-earnings gains. On Monday, Bank of America listed Broadcom among its top six semiconductor industry picks for 2025, joining several other analysts in bullish commentary on the tech firm . The stock is up about 40% since its better-than-expected earnings report last week.

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