5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

Bitcoin (BTCUSD) crosses the $100,000 threshold on optimism over the nomination of a cryptocurrency advocate to lead the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); U.S. stock futures are little changed after each of the major indexes closed at all-time highs; Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) reportedly is in talks with Nvidia (NVDA) to build Blackwell chips in Arizona; Five Below (FIVE) stock is jumping in premarket trading after the discount retailer raised its earnings outlook and named a new CEO; American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) shares are sinking after the retailer lowered its full-year guidance and warned of weak holiday sales. Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. Bitcoin Surpasses $100,000 on Trump SEC Nomination

Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is soaring 4% to trade over $102,000 after President-elect Donald Trump nominated pro-crypto Paul Atkins to lead the SEC. The surge comes after the cryptocurrency had come close to breaching $100,000 in November in a post-election rally, but later fell as low as $91,000 as investors took profits. The news also boosted other crypto-related assets and companies, with MicroStrategy (MSTR), MARA Holdings (MARA), and Riot Platforms (RIOT) all trading at least 5% higher in premarket trading.

2. US Stock Futures Flat After Closing at Record Highs

U.S. stock futures are flat after each of the major indexes hit record intraday and closing highs Wednesday. Stocks are off to a strong start this month on investor optimism that the incoming Trump administration will implement pro-growth policies. Market watchers are also eyeing the release of more corporate earnings Thursday, including from Kroger (KR) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), and digesting remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Crude futures, gold futures, and 10-year Treasury yields are little changed.

3. TSMC In Talks to Make Nvidia Chips at Arizona Plant

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) is in talks with Nvidia (NVDA) to produce the latter’s Blackwell artificial intelligence (AI) chips at the contract manufacturer’s plant in Arizona, Reuters reported. TSMC is preparing to start producing the AI chips early next year, the report said, but would still have to ship them to Taiwan for packaging. American depositary receipts (ADRs) of TSMC and shares of Nvidia are ticking higher in premarket trading.

4. Discount Retailer Five Below Stock Surges on Improved Outlook, New CEO

Five Below (FIVE) stock is soaring 14% in premarket trading, a day after the discount retailer appointed Forever 21’s Winnie Park as its new CEO, effective Dec. 16, and raised its outlook for the year, noting “solid” Black Friday sales. Net sales for the year now are seen between $3.84 billion and $3.87 billion, up from $3.73 billion to $3.80 billion previously, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) is expected between $4.78 and $4.96, raised from the prior range of $4.35 to $4.71. Third-quarter results also beat estimates.

5. American Eagle Outfitters Stock Plunges on Weak Holiday Sales Guidance

Shares of American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) are slumping 13% in premarket trading, a day after the clothing retailer’s third-quarter results and fourth-quarter outlook came in below analysts’ expectations. AEO reported a year-over-year revenue decline to $1.29 billion and profit that fell nearly 20% to $80 million. For the holiday quarter, AEO sees revenue down 4%, below estimates, which includes “a roughly $85 million impact from the combination of the retail calendar shift and one less selling week.” JPMorgan subsequently downgraded the stock to “neutral” from “overweight.”

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