Trump said he would postpone the March 1 deadline
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are up over 100 points today, after President Donald Trump announced that he would be extending the March 1 deadline for tariff hikes on Chinese goods. The U.S. president tweeted that "substantial progress" in trade talks with China was made, and that he is planning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to "conclude an agreement," but did not specify the new deadline. As a result, trade-sensitive stocks like Caterpillar (CAT) and semiconductor makers are higher ahead of the bell.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- This FAANG stock is on sale, according to one signal.
- Why options bulls might want to put ETSY stock in their cart before earnings.
- 2 soaring stocks that just saw explosive options volume.
- Plus, GE soars on biopharma deal; the "Oracle of Omaha" speaks; and Sony unveils new smartphones.

5 Things You Need to Know Today
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The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 1.2 million call contracts traded on Friday, compared to 750,866 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio dropped to 0.63, and the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.61.
- General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) stock soared 18.1% in pre-market trading, after the energy company announced plans to sell the biopharma arm of its company to Danaher. The sale will net GE $21.4 billion, which includes $21 billion cash, and is slated to close in the fourth quarter. GE stock is set to top its 160-day moving average for the first time since October.
- Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) shares are 0.2% lower ahead of the bell, after the company reported fourth-quarter revenue that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Warren Buffett also said he “overpaid” for Kraft Heinz (KHC). BRKA stock has been attempting a rebound off its December lows, but has been finding pressure at the $312,000 area.
- The shares of Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE) are up 1.3% in electronic trading, after the electronics concern unveiled its new smartphone featuring movie theater-style screens. SNE stock has added nearly 13% since its Feb. 7 annual low, and is now pacing for its eighth straight win.
- The economic schedule kicks off with the Chicago Fed National Activity Index and the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey. There will also be earnings reports from Rent-a-Center (RCII), Shake Shack (SHAK), and Tenet Healthcare (THC).

Asian Stocks Higher on Tariff News; Brexit Delay Has Europe Stocks Mixed
Stocks in Asia started the week on a positive note, after President Trump postponed the deadline on trade discussions with China. This news sent the Shanghai Composite up 5.6%, guiding the index to its best one-day gain since 2015 and back into bull-market territory. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.5% thanks to solid outings from bank and tech stocks. Rounding out the region, Japan's Nikkei added 0.5% while South Korea's Kospi tacked on 0.1%.
Over in Europe, markets are mixed, but stocks with exposure to U.S.-China trade negotiations got a boost. London's FTSE 100 is down 0.2%, at last check, after Prime Minister Theresa May delayed another parliament vote on Brexit. British homebuilder Persimmon is pacing a sector decline amid an inquiry by the housing minister into its participation in a government-funded housing plan. Elsewhere, the French CAC 40 is up 0.3% and German DAX is 0.4% higher, at last check.