5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are pointing higher after a shaky start to 2025 trading; U.S. Steel ( X ) shares are dropping in premarket trading on reports that President Biden will block its merger with Japan's Nippon Steel; Tesla ( TSLA ) investors hope shares snap a five-session losing streak; Carvana ( CVNA ) stock is falling further after a short seller's report raised questions about the under car dealer's loan practices; and Constellation Energy ( CEG ) and Vistra ( VST ) shares are moving further higher on optimism over nuclear power deals. Here's what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Higher After Shaky Start to 2025

U.S. stock futures are pointing higher after major stock indexes got off to a sluggish start for 2025 . Nasdaq futures are up 0.4% and S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are higher by around 0.2%. Yesterday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their losing streaks to five sessions, while the Dow lost ground for the fourth straight day. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note are edging lower early Friday, while the price of bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) is slightly down and oil and gold futures are little changed.

2. US Steel Stock Drops on Reports Biden Will Block Nippon Steel Deal

U.S. Steel ( X ) shares are sinking 8% in premarket trading on reports that President Joe Biden is set to block the $14.1 billion sale of the iconic American company to Japan's Nippon Steel. Bloomberg reported that the White House is planning to announce the decision on Friday, with both companies signaling they will pursue legal action if the government moves to block the deal. The administration would oppose the controversial deal over national security concerns, The New York Times reported, which could also threaten relations with Japan.

3. Tesla Stock Edges Higher After Five-Session Skid

Tesla ( TSLA ) shares are edging higher in premarket trading after a five-session losing streak in which they have shed 18% of their value. On Thursday, the electric vehicle (EV) maker's stock sank 6% on weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter deliveries . Tesla announced it delivered 495,570 vehicles in the quarter, up from 484,507 in the same period last year but below the 512,250 consensus estimate compiled by Visible Alpha. The company's full-year results for deliveries and production were also lower than estimates.

4. Carvana Stock Slides Further on Short Seller Report

Shares of Carvana ( CVNA ) are sliding 4% in premarket trading following a nearly 2% fall yesterday after short-selling firm Hindenburg Research said the online used-car dealer's success in 2024 was a "mirage." Hindenburg said that Carvana's stock rise of more than 300% in 2024 was tied to risky auto loans sold to an unidentified third party. Carvana disputed the findings.