U.S. stock futures saw a positive shift early Friday, suggesting a cautious recovery from the tech sector’s recent decline. As Wall Street recalibrates its views on the potential disruption from artificial intelligence and the associated risks of significant spending by major technology firms, S&P 500 futures rose by 0.5%, while Nasdaq 100 futures increased by approximately 0.6%. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average also reversed earlier losses, gaining 0.5% after a difficult trading session on Thursday.
The notable sell-off in tech stocks appears to be losing momentum, as leaders from Big Tech and analysts dispel fears regarding the adverse effects of new AI innovations on established tech businesses. However, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite continue to face weekly losses, marking a downturn that has pushed them into negative territory for 2026.
A more optimistic market sentiment extended into other areas, with bitcoin climbing back above $65,000 after reaching a 16-month low overnight. Despite this rebound, bitcoin is still expected to record its worst weekly performance since 2022, significantly erasing gains made post-Trump’s presidency.
In the corporate landscape, Strategy’s stock experienced a 6% rise in premarket trading despite reporting a substantial quarterly loss driven by the preceding market downturn. The company’s CEO downplayed concerns regarding debt obligations, contributing to the stock’s uptick.
Conversely, Amazon’s shares plummeted by 8% following earnings results that indicated a projected operating income below expectations, alongside plans for a dramatic increase in spending, forecasted to reach at least $200 billion in 2026.
Stellantis also made headlines, warning of a charge exceeding €22 billion ($26 billion) as it reassesses its electric vehicle strategy. This led to a significant drop in the Jeep maker’s shares, which fell by more than 20% on both Wall Street and the Milan Stock Exchange. This downturn adds to the recent struggles in the electric vehicle market, exemplified by the $60 billion setback for Chinese manufacturer BYD.
In the commodities sector, silver experienced volatility but resumed its overall decline amid increased selling pressures from China, particularly ahead of its national holiday. Traders now anticipate the release of the important January jobs report, initially scheduled for Friday but postponed until Wednesday of the following week. Recent indicators suggest emerging difficulties in the labor market, as job openings have decreased dramatically, reaching lows not seen since 2020, alongside a surge in layoffs.
In premarket trading, Molina Healthcare saw its stock drop by 28% after forecasting earnings for 2026 below analysts’ expectations, citing rising medical costs across its government-backed plans. Doximity’s stock plunged by 30% after it lowered its full-year sales outlook, and Coty stock fell by 13% following the withdrawal of its fiscal year guidance.
Despite the prevailing pessimism in the cryptocurrency market, Strategy’s stock surged by 6%, resisting the wave of decline and following its own significant losses on Thursday. The company revealed substantial holdings of bitcoin while calling on supporters to remain committed amidst unfavorable market conditions.
Meanwhile, Reddit’s stock increased by 7% after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and positive guidance, driven in part by the integration of AI tools to attract advertisers. Roblox also projected strong annual bookings, signaling growth momentum for the gaming platform amidst a fluctuating market landscape.
