U.S. stock markets are showing cautious optimism on Friday, December 5, 2025, as investors eagerly await the release of crucial inflation data and look ahead to a highly anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate decision next week. Premarket trading activity indicates a mixed but generally upward trend in major index futures, reflecting ongoing market confidence in a potential rate cut.Premarket Trading and Futures MovementsAs the trading day begins, U.S. stock futures are largely inching higher. S&P 500 fu ...

A discount retailer got a boost on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, as bargain-seeking shoppers bolstered its quarterly results, while a semiconductor stock retreated from its recent highs. https://t.co/BJGIPNWfwS ...

Market Overview - U.S. stocks closed near unchanged as investors assessed labor market reports and economic data, with expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week [6][7] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 31.96 points (0.07%) to 47,850.94, while the S&P 500 gained 7.40 points (0.11%) to 6,857.12, and the Nasdaq Composite increased by 51.04 points (0.22%) to 23,505.14 [6][7] Labor Market Indicators - Initial jobless claims dropped to their lowest level in over three years, although this decline may be influenced by the Thanksgiving holiday [6][7] - The Chicago Fed estimated the unemployment rate remained around 4.4% in November [6][7] - Markets are pricing in an 87% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut this month, up from 68.6% a month ago [6][7] Company Performance - Kroger's shares fell by 4.6% after the supermarket chain narrowed its annual sales forecast and missed quarterly sales estimates [4][7] - Dollar General's stock surged by 14% following an increase in its annual profit forecast [4][7] - Snowflake's shares tumbled by 11.4% after the company provided a fourth-quarter product revenue forecast below investor expectations [4][7] - Salesforce's stock rose by 3.7% after raising its fiscal 2026 revenue and profit forecasts, driven by strong demand for its AI platform [6][7] - Meta Platforms increased by 3.4% after reports of planned cuts to its Metaverse budget [6][7] - Hormel Foods advanced by 3.8% after forecasting annual profit above estimates [4][7] Market Activity - Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a ratio of 1.06-to-1 on the NYSE and 1.39-to-1 on the Nasdaq [5][7] - The S&P 500 recorded 31 new 52-week highs and five new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite saw 114 new highs and 52 new lows [5][7] - U.S. exchanges had a trading volume of 15.13 billion shares, compared to the 17.98 billion average over the last 20 trading days [5][7]

Consumer spending is holding up but shifting toward smaller baskets, private labels and value pricing.Jobless claims fell to their lowest level in three years, even as job cut announcements rose across several sectors.A trio of labor reports, spanning government, private sector data and PYMNTS Intelligence findings, shows that uncertainty is rising among hourly workers even as their spending continues.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of yo ...

And right now we are 2 minutes away from the end of the trading day. Romaine Bostick alongside David Gura, taking you through to that closing bell with a global simulcast. It starts right now.Carol Massar in the radio booth. Alexis Christopher is in today For Tim Stenovec. Katie Greifeld on assignment.Welcome to our audiences across all of our Bloomberg platforms, including our partnership with YouTube. A mixed day on Wall Street. And a reminder, Carol, the last gasp of this earnings season coming after the ...

Core Viewpoint - Five Below Inc. reported strong third-quarter results, significantly exceeding analyst expectations, driven by robust comparable sales growth and ongoing store expansion [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the quarter ended November 1, 2025, adjusted earnings were $0.68 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus of $0.23 [2]. - Revenue increased by 23.1% year over year to $1.038 billion, exceeding expectations of $972.43 million [2]. - Comparable sales rose by 14.3% compared to the same period last year, indicating broad-based strength in the business [2]. Store Expansion - Five Below opened 49 net new locations during the quarter, bringing the total store count to 1,907 across 44 states, a 9.0% increase from the previous year [3]. Future Outlook - The company raised its fiscal 2025 outlook, projecting full-year revenue between $4.62 billion and $4.65 billion, with adjusted earnings per share expected to be between $5.71 and $5.89 [3]. - For the fourth quarter, Five Below forecasts revenue of $1.58 billion to $1.61 billion, above market expectations of $1.55 billion, and projects adjusted EPS of $3.36 to $3.54, ahead of the consensus estimate of $3.28 [4].

Intel was the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 Thursday. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Close Shares of a dollar-store chain took off after its latest quarterly report revealed its offerings are attracting cost- conscious consumers across income groups. Meanwhile, an American chipmaker came under pressure after reports that it's not looking to sell its networking business. Major U.S. equities indexes finished Thursday's session mixed and little changed ahead of key inflation data due for release Friday ...

Core Insights - Dollar General Corporation's shares increased by 11% intra-day following strong third-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst expectations and raised full-year guidance [1] Financial Performance - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.28, significantly higher than the analyst consensus of $0.94 [2] - Revenue reached $10.6 billion, slightly below expectations of $10.62 billion, but represented a 4.6% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Same-store sales rose by 2.5% year over year, driven by a 2.5% increase in customer traffic, while the average ticket size remained unchanged [2] - Growth was observed across all major merchandise categories, including consumables, seasonal items, home products, and apparel [2] Profitability Metrics - Operating profit surged by 31.5% to $425.9 million compared to the prior-year period, aided by improved efficiency and cost controls [3] - Gross profit margin expanded by 107 basis points to 29.9%, reflecting better merchandising and pricing discipline [3] Future Guidance - Following the strong results, the company raised its full-year guidance, now expecting earnings per share of $6.30 to $6.50, exceeding the analyst consensus of $6.13 [4] - The net sales growth forecast was also raised to approximately 4.7% to 4.9%, up from a previous range of 4.3% to 4.8% [4]

Cash-strapped consumers are turning to the discount chain for bargains.Shares of Dollar General (DG +14.01%) climbed 14% on Thursday after the retailer boosted its full-year profit forecast. Saving people money is good for businessDollar General's net sales rose 4.6% year over year to $10.6 billion in the third quarter. The gains were driven by new store openings, renovations, and higher sales at existing locations.The discount chain opened 196 new stores and remodeled 1,175 locations during the quarter. Th ...

Core Insights - Dollar General reported strong quarterly results, indicating that consumers are actively seeking value, which has positively impacted the discount retailer and its competitors [1][8] Financial Performance - The company generated $10.65 billion in revenue for the third quarter, with same-store sales increasing by 2.5%, both figures aligning with analyst forecasts [2] - Earnings per share reached $1.28, significantly exceeding the expected $0.93 [2] Consumer Trends - There has been "disproportionate growth" in business from higher-income households, while low- and middle-income consumers are still looking for value [3] - Other value-focused retailers, such as Walmart and Dollar Tree, are also experiencing an influx of higher-income consumers [4] Future Outlook - Dollar General raised its sales growth, EPS, and same-store sales growth outlook for the full year, planning to open approximately 575 new stores in the U.S. this year and 450 next year [5] - The company aims to remodel or renovate thousands of existing locations [5] Market Performance - Dollar General shares increased by about 13% following the earnings report, marking a more than 60% rise since the beginning of the year [2][6]