5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are little changed after three consecutive winning sessions for indexes; copper futures soar on a report that U.S. import tariffs on the metal could come sooner than expected; Dollar Tree (DLTR) shares are rising in premarket trading as the discount retailer moves to sell off its Family Dollar brand; GameStop (GME) stock is soaring on the company’s plans to add bitcoin to its investment strategy; and Tesla (TSLA) shares are dipping after rising for five straight sessions.  Here’s what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Little Changed After Indexes Rise for Third Straight Session

U.S. stock futures are little changed after indexes rose for a third straight session Tuesday. Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures are essentially flat after gaining 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively, in the prior session. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also are little changed after moving fractionally higher yesterday. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is slightly higher to trade at over $88,000. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note and gold and oil futures are rising. 

2. Copper Futures Surge on Report of US Tariffs Coming Sooner Than Expected

Copper futures have surged to a record high in New York trading on a report that U.S. import tariffs on the metal are seen coming within several weeks, months earlier than the deadline for a decision. Bloomberg reported that a decision on copper tariffs from the Commerce Department could come earlier than the deadline originally laid out by President Donald Trump. Copper on New York’s Comex hit a record $5.374 a pound earlier and recently was trading at around $5.277 per pound.

3. Dollar Tree Stock Jumps on Deal to Sell Family Dollar

Shares of Dollar Tree (DLTR) are rising about 3% in premarket trading after the discount retailer announced a deal to sell its Family Dollar brand to a pair of private-equity firms for $1 billion. The move comes after Dollar Tree last March announced plans to close roughly 1,000 underperforming stores, and in June said it was launching a review of whether it should sell or spin off the Family Dollar brand. Dollar Tree shares had lost roughly 47% of their value over the last 12 months entering Wednesday.

4. GameStop Stock Pops on Plans to Add Bitcoin to Investment Strategy

GameStop (GME) shares are soaring 16% in premarket trading after the video-game retailer updated its corporate investment policy to include bitcoin. GameStop also reported fiscal fourth-quarter results, which saw revenue fall 28% year-over-year to $1.28 billion. Shares of GameStop had been nearly 20% lower this year entering Wednesday.

5. Tesla Stock Dips After Adding 28% Over Past 5 Sessions

Tesla (TSLA) stock is dipping less than 1% in premarket trading after the Magnificent 7 member’s shares extended their winning streak to five sessions yesterday following nearly two months of declines. The latest gains come after an all-hands meeting last week in which CEO Elon Musk urged employees to hold their shares, arguing that Wall Street doesn’t fully understand the company’s value based on its self-driving technology and robotics products. The stock has gained 28% during its winning streak but is still down nearly 40% from its December peak.

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