US stock futures all rose, Dow Jones futures rose 0.39%, Nasdaq 100 futures rose 1.04%, and S&P 500 futures rose 0.68%.As investors considered a batch of stronger-than-expected earnings results from major companies and a sweeping set of proposals from President Joe Biden aimed at revamping the country's infrastructure and supporting families, children and students.
TheFederal Reserveupgraded its view of the economy and held its line that any near-term inflation rises will be temporary, while keeping rates near zero and asset purchases steady as it concluded its latest meeting on Wednesday.
Additionally, U.S. PresidentJoe Bidenused his first joint address to Congress to outline his new $1.8 trillion plan aimed toward children and families while proposing raised taxes on corporations and rich Americans.
Turning to economic data, in addition to the weekly data onjobless claims, Thursday brings us the first quarterGDPnumber, at 8:30 AM ET (1330 GMT), which is expected to show growth of 6.1% on a yearly basis after growing 4.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020, fueled by unprecedented monetary policy support and fiscal stimulus.
Take a look at some of the biggest movers in the premarket:
Facebook(FB) – Facebook exceeded analysts’ forecasts by $1.03 a share, with quarterly profit of $3.30 per share. The social media giant’s revenue was also well above Wall Street forecasts as digital ad spending continued to surge amid the pandemic. Facebook said ad revenue could take a hit later this year, however, due to Apple’s new privacy policies that make ad targeting more difficult. Facebook’s stock surged 7.6% in premarket trading.
Comcast(CMCSA) – The NBCUniversal and CNBC parentbeat estimates by 17 cents a share, with quarterly earnings of 76 cents per share. Revenue also topped estimates, driven in part by strong growth in broadband and wireless phone customers. Comcast shares jumped 2.9% in the premarket.
Generac(GNRC) – The generator maker earned $2.38 per share for the first quarter, compared to a consensus estimate of $1.87 a share. Revenue also exceeded forecasts on strength in the residential market, and Generac raised its sales forecast for the full year. Its shares surged 6% in the premarket.
EBay(EBAY) – EBay reported consensus-beating results on both the top and bottom lines for its most recent quarter, but the online marketplace operator gave a lighter-than-expected current-quarter outlook. Its shares tumbled 7.6% in premarket trading.
Caterpillar(CAT) – Caterpillar shares gained 1.6% in premarket trading after the heavy equipment maker beat estimates by nearly $1 a share, with quarterly profit of $2.87 per share. Revenue was also above forecasts, as the recovering economy spurred demand for equipment.
McDonald’s(MCD) – The restaurant chain came in 11 cents a share ahead of consensus, withquarterly profit of $1.92 per share. Revenue was also above forecasts, boosted by a better-than-expected 13.6% jump in U.S. same-store sales.
Merck(MRK) – A pandemic-induced drop in medical office visits was among the key reasons for the drugmaker’s earnings shortfall for the first quarter. Merck missed expectations by 23 cents a share, with quarterly profit of $1.40 per share. Its stock slid 1.8% in premarket action.
Royal Caribbean(RCL),Norwegian Cruise Line(NCLH),Carnival(CCL) – Cruise line stocks rallied in premarket trading after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saidit was committed to a restart of U.S. cruises by mid-summer. Royal Caribbean rose 2.4%, Norwegian added 3% and Carnival jumped 2.8%.
Bristol Myers(BMY) – The drugmaker came in 7 cents a share shy of estimates, reporting quarterly earnings of $1.74 per share. Revenue was also below forecasts as cancer drug sales were shy of Street forecasts. The stock dropped 2.3% in the premarket.
Apple(AAPL) – Apple gained 3% in premarket action afterit blew past the consensus estimate of 99 cents a share, with quarterly earnings of $1.40 per share. Revenue also topped estimates by a wide margin for its latest quarter, with Apple’s results driven by a surge in demand for new 5G iPhones. It also increased planned stock buybacks by $90 billion. Apple warned of a negative impact fromthe ongoing global chip shortage, however.
Ford Motor(F) – Fordearned quarterly profit of 89 cents per share, compared to a consensus estimate of 21 cents a share. The automaker’s revenue also beat analysts’ forecasts. Ford said a global chip shortage could ease this summer, but it could cut second-quarter production in half. Ford shares fell 2.9% in premarket trading.
Qualcomm(QCOM) – Qualcomm beat estimates by 23 cents a share, with quarterly profit of $1.90 per share. The chipmaker’s revenue also exceeded projections and Qualcomm gave an upbeat current-quarter forecast as supply constraints ease. Its stock jumped 5.1% in the premarket.
Cheesecake Factory(CAKE) – Cheesecake Factory shares rallied 6.7% in premarket action after the company reported quarterly profit of 20 cents per share, compared to analysts’ expectations of a 6 cents per share loss. The restaurant chain’s revenue also exceeded forecasts.
Align Technology(ALGN) – Align beat estimates by 47 cents a share, with quarterly earnings of $2.49 per share. Revenue topped estimates as well. Sales jumped from a year earlier on higher demand for its teeth straighteners, although profit fell on higher expenses. Its shares were up 4.3% in the premarket.