All three major benchmarks are higher before the bell
Following strong 2025 gains, futures on all three major indexes are on the rise ahead of the first trading day of 2026. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) futures are eyeing a triple digit open, while futures on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) sit comfortably higher as well. Tech stocks are rising into the new year after a stellar 12 months marked by AI-related growth, even amid a correction toward the end.
- 25 stocks with short squeeze potential.
- Zscaler stock flashing bull signal.
- Plus, BIDU spin-off buzz; RH jumps on tariff delay; and WRBY named a "top pick."
5 Things You Need to Know Today
- The Cboe Options Exchange saw over 1.6 million call contracts and more than 1.5 million put contracts exchanged on Wednesday. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.92, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.58.
- China-based tech stock Baidu Inc (NASDAQ:BIDU) is up 9.7% premarket, after the company announced plans to spin off its semiconductor unit, Kunlunxin, and list it in Hong Kong. BIDU marked a 54.7% gain in 2025.
- Furniture stock RH (NYSE:RH) is up 4.9% before the bell, after President Trump delayed the 30% tariff on upholstered furniture and 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and vanities for another year. The equity slid 54.5% in 2025.
- Warby Parker Inc (NYSE:WRBY) stock is 1.6% higher in electronic trading, after Loop Capital named the eyeglasses maker one of its top-pick stocks for 2026, citing an attractive risk/reward profile. WRBY lost 10% last year.
- There will be plenty of economic data to kick off the new year this week.
South Korean Kospi Hits Record High
One of the few indexes open on the first day of the New Year, South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.3%, earlier hitting a new record high after Samsung Electronics saw a chip-related boost. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also posted healthy gains, adding 2.8%, with education and AI stocks leading the charge. Japan’s Nikkei and China’s Shanghai Composite remained closed for holiday.
In Europe, markets are moving higher, with the FTSE 100 in London surpassing 10,000 for the first time ever before paring gains, now up 0.4%. Silver and gold stocks are also lifting sentiment, with France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX last seen up 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively.