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postUS stock futures slid on Friday, eyeing more losses after a broad market sell-off as Wall Street waited for the latest reading on consumer inflation for a steer on the path of interest rates.
Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) both dropped roughly 0.4%. Meanwhile, Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) fell 0.3%, signaling a return of pressure on techs.
Caution prevails after a day of heavy selling as fears about AI disruption spilled into sectors such as real estate, logistics, and transportation — “old economy” names previously seen as a safe alternative to AI-tied stocks. Techs got pummeled, with all seven of the “Magnificent Seven” megacaps finishing lower.
That may be set to resume as investors scrutinize the latest earnings for the next “shoot first, ask questions later” AI scare. Applied Materials (AMAT) stock surged over 10% as the chip toolmaker’s upbeat outlook mirrored robust AI demand. But Pinterest (PINS) shares tumbled about 20% as revenue fell short and analysts fretted about AI risks to its discovery platform.
Markets are also bracing with Friday morning’s report on January’s consumer price index, the inflation measure favored by the Federal Reserve in policy making. The key inflation measure is likely to shape expectations for an already complicated Federal Reserve policy.
The slightly delayed data will shed light on whether price pressures are turning less stubbornly sticky to start 2026. Expectations are for a slowing in the annual CPI rate to around 2.5%, and any surprise is likely to shape already complicated calculations for the path of interest rates.
On the earnings front, Rivian (RIVN) shares jumped almost 20% following its fourth quarter earnings beat late Thursday. The EV maker said its R2 midsize model is on track for delivery before the summer. Before the bell, eyes are on Moderna’s (MRNA) report, after it suffered a 10% drop in share value this week as the FDA rejected a new flu vaccine.
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Premarket trending tickers: DraftKings, Roku, and Maplebear
DraftKings (DKNG) stock fell 17% before the bell on Friday after the US gambling company missed analyst expectations for this year’s guidance as it steps up its investments in prediction markets.
Roku (ROKU) stock rose 15% during premarket hours after the streaming company beat analysts’ estimates for fourth quarter earnings. Roku also issued strong guidance for the year.
Maplebear (CART), also known as Instacart, saw its stock jump by 12% before the bell today after beating analysts estimates for revenue, which rose 12% to $992 million. However, the group’s fourth quarter earnings were dented by a $60 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission amid claims that it used underhand tactics to raise costs for shoppers.
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Wall Street’s AI angst is turning into a blessing for Asia stocks
From Bloomberg:
Wall Street’s fears of business disruption caused by artificial intelligence are turning into a blessing for Asian stocks, fueling demand for the region’s leading chipmakers that dominate the industry’s supply chain.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has risen more than 12% in 2026, in contrast to losses in US benchmarks as shares were sold off on fears that AI models may threaten the business of software, legal and real estate service providers. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is down 0.2% for the year, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) gauge has lost around 2%.
The divergence underscores global funds’ shift of preference from AI pioneers burdened by massive spending toward hardware producers with strong pricing power, many of whom are in Asia. Surging memory chip prices have been a boon for the region’s heavyweights such as Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.KS, SSNLF), while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s (TSM, 2330.TW) irreplaceable role as the world’s leading contract chipmaker has provided support for Taiwanese stocks.
“The main worry of the US is hyperscaler spending money,” said Richard Tang, head of research Hong Kong at Julius Baer. “Most of Asia’s tech exposure is upstream. Whoever wins in the end, upstream will still collect revenue from downstream players.”
Read more here.
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Rivian stock surges on Q4 results; upcoming R2 EV on track for Q2 customer deliveries
Rivian (RIVN) stock soared 19% during premarket hours on Friday following the release of better-than-expected fourth-quarter results on Thursday.
Yahoo Finance’s Pras Subramanian reports:
Read the full story here.
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Applied Materials stock surges after results beat on the top and bottom lines
Applied Materials (AMAT) stock climbed 11% during premarket hours on Friday after the semiconductor equipment maker beat Wall Street expectations on the top and bottom lines.
The after-hours reaction to Applied Materials’ results added to the strong run for the stock in 2026. Year to date, shares are up 27%.
Reuters reports:
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Pinterest forecasts downbeat revenue as it battles for digital ad dollars; shares plunge
Pinterest stock sank 19% before the bell on Friday after forecasting first quarter revenue below analysts’ estimates on Thursday.
Reuters reports:
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China lifts lid on outbound acquisition for first time this decade
Bloomberg reports:
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Gold climbs back after steep losses, holds below $5,000
Bloomberg reports:
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