US stocks appear set to open mixed on Friday as traders brace for a relatively light day on the economic calendar. Earlier in the morning, housing starts data was released, presenting insights into the housing market's current landscape. Later in the day, investors will be watching closely as Baker Hughes rig count figures are announced, which could offer indications about the energy sector's health.
Additionally, speeches from notable Federal Reserve officials—Atlanta President Raphael Bostic and Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari—are anticipated, as investors seek guidance on future monetary policy directions. In premarket futures, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is trending down by 0.15%, whereas the S&P 500 is enjoying a modest rise of 0.25%, and the Nasdaq is seeing a notable increase of 0.56%.
On the commodity front, oil prices are on the decline, with front-month global benchmarks Brent crude falling by 0.52% and West Texas Intermediate crude edging down by 0.55%. This movement in oil prices might signal shifts in energy-related stocks throughout the trading day. Looking globally, Japan's Nikkei index has gained 0.18%, demonstrating resilience in Asia’s market.
Conversely, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index has soared by 3.61%, reflecting investor optimism in that region. Meanwhile, China's Shanghai Composite has jumped 2.91%, indicating a robust performance amid economic adjustments. In Europe, the UK's FTSE 100 is slightly down by 0.28% in early afternoon trading.
On a more positive note, Germany's DAX and France's CAC have seen slight upticks, advancing by 0.34% and 0.75% respectively. Shifting focus to equities, Catheter Precision's shares ($VTAK) have made headlines by soaring 165% in Friday's premarket session after a previous gain of 2.3% on Thursday. Safe ($SOBR) shares have jumped 94%, showcasing a strong rebound following modest growth the day prior.
Pineapple Energy ($PEGY) shares advanced by 54% after announcing the termination of its lease for its principal corporate office, which aims to save the company approximately $17,500 per month, or $210,000 annually, in associated rent costs. However, not all stocks shared this positive momentum. On the downside, shares of Orgenesis ($ORGS) plummeted by 37%, following the announcement that Nasdaq would delist its shares due to non-compliance with listing regulations.
NuZee ($NUZE) saw a significant drop of 31% after a commendable rise of 546% in the previous session, when it announced the establishment of offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and other regions to bolster its global business efforts. MGP Ingredients ($MGPI) shares fell by 19% after the company revised its 2024 adjusted EPS and sales outlook downward following unfavorable market conditions. The stock market is witnessing a dynamic session influenced by various internal and external factors, making it essential for investors to stay informed and agile in their strategies..