2026.02.0312:56:09UTC+00US Stocks Set for Strong Open on Earnings Beats

U.S. equity futures experienced an upswing on Tuesday, poised to continue the positive trajectory from the previous day. This momentum was fueled by promising earnings reports from major tech companies, which revitalized investor enthusiasm for firms operating in the AI sector. The S&P 500 was expected to open above 7,000, with the Dow and Nasdaq anticipating rises of up to 0.5%. The focus shifted back to earnings as the cessation of the precious metals selloff did not trigger widespread liquidations due to elevated margin requirements. Notably, Palantir's shares surged over 10% in pre-market trading, following its guidance for the fiscal year 2026, which significantly exceeded market forecasts. AI-related companies received an additional boost from Samsung's robust performance in its chip segment. Nvidia's shares rebounded after the previous day's decline, following the company's decision to minimize its investment in OpenAI. Meanwhile, AMD saw a notable increase ahead of its earnings announcement post-market close. In the pharmaceutical sector, Pfizer and Merck reported results, leading to slight declines, while Lilly and AbbVie remained stable, awaiting their discussions before the market opens tomorrow.