Morning News Call

TOP NEWS

• Elon Musk's SpaceX weighs Nasdaq listing, potentially biggest IPO ever.
• Markets bet on quick end to Iran war despite threats.
• Bill Ackman's Pershing Square files for US IPO.
• AT&T to invest $250 billion over five years in US infrastructure.
• Exxon Mobil seeks to reincorporate in Texas from New Jersey.

BEFORE THE BELL

• U.S. stock index futures tick up on hopes for Middle East de-escalation.
• Oil prices plummet over 6%, retreating from high; dollar takes breather.
• Gold prices rise as inflation concerns ease.
• European and Asian shares bounce back on improved risk appetite.

STOCKS TO WATCH

• Agilent Technologies Inc: Acquires Biocare Medical for $950M, expecting revenue growth and profitability lift.
• Apple Inc: German publishers and advertisers call for fine over app tracking rule changes.
• Archer Aviation Inc & Joby Aviation Inc: Archer countersues Joby, alleging fraud and hidden China ties; Joby previously sued Archer for trade secret theft.
• AT&T Inc: Plans $250 billion US infrastructure investment over five years, driven by AI adoption.
• Beta Technologies Inc: Speeds up MV250 military cargo drone development by six months.
• Chevron Corp: Ultrapar tapped bank to manage potential sale of Ipiranga stake; Chevron reportedly in advanced talks.
• Exxon Mobil Corp: Seeks to reincorporate in Texas from New Jersey to bolster activist shareholder defenses.
• Goldman Sachs Group Inc: Pitches total return swap product to hedge funds for corporate loan positions.
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co: Forecasts Q2 revenue above estimates; raised fiscal 2026 EPS and networking segment growth.
• JetBlue Airways Corp: Brief system outage resolved, groundstop for flights canceled.
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc: Experimental drug sharply reduced kidney damage sign in late-stage trial; seeking U.S. approval.
• West Pharmaceutical Services Inc: CEO Eric Green plans to retire in H2 2026.

REUTERS OPEN INTEREST

• Oil shock and financial stress can feed each other, central banks watching Iran war impact.

ANALYSTS' RECOMMENDATION

• Bridgebio pharma Inc: JPMorgan raises target price to $94 from $89.
• Fedex Corp: JPMorgan raises target price to $424 from $294.
• Vail Resorts Inc: JPMorgan cuts target price to $156 from $172.
• Verisk Analytics Inc: Jefferies raises target price to $230 from $220.

ECONOMIC EVENTS (All timings in U.S. Eastern Time)

• 0600 NFIB Business Optimism Index for Feb: Prior 99.3
• 1000 Existing home sales for Feb: Expected 3.89 mln; Prior 3.91 mln
• 1000 Existing home sales percentage change for Feb: Prior -8.4%

COMPANIES REPORTING RESULTS

• Oracle Corp: Expected Q3 earnings of $1.70 cents per share

CORPORATE EVENTS (All timings in U.S. Eastern Time)

• 1700 Oracle Corp: Q3 earnings conference call

EX-DIVIDENDS

• Ameren Corp: $0.75
• Becton Dickinson and Co: $1.05
• CME Group Inc: $1.3
• Eaton Corporation PLC: $1.1
• Elevance Health Inc: $1.72
• Evergy Inc: $0.695
• Fidelity National Information Services Inc: $0.44
• Occidental Petroleum Corp: $0.26
• PPL Corp: $0.285
• Public Service Enterprise Group Inc: $0.67
• Simon Property Group Inc: $2.2
• Stanley Black & Decker Inc: $0.83
• Travelers Companies Inc: $1.1
• Weyerhaeuser Co: $0.21