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Happy Thursday. Last night’s spin class’ mostly Kesha music soundtrack was further proof that the 2016 aesthetic is back.
Stock futures are falling this morning. The three major indexes are ending strong sessions.
Here are five important things investors need to know to start their trading day.
1. Price reduction
February 3, 2026 at a Walmart store in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images
shares of walmart Shares fell more than 2% in pre-market trading this morning after the company’s outlook for the current fiscal year was weaker than expected.
Here’s what you need to know:
The nation’s largest grocer and private employer narrowly beat Wall Street expectations in both categories in the fourth quarter. Walmart said it expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to be between $2.75 and $2.85, below Wall Street’s expectations of $2.96 per share. As CNBC’s Melissa Repko reported, the results come as investors focus on Walmart’s future under new CEO John Farner, who was hired earlier this month. Stock prices have risen significantly. The stock is up more than 21% in the past 12 months and nearly 175% in the past five years. Earlier this month, the company’s market capitalization reached $1 trillion. wayfair announced its financial results this morning, with annual sales increasing for the first time since 2020. Etsy It beat Wall Street’s fourth-quarter profit expectations and rose further before the bell. Etsy shares are already up double digits in after-hours trading after the e-commerce platform announced yesterday that it would sell clothing resale service Depop to the US. eBayFollow live market updates here.
2. Fortune teller
U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference after two days of Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings on interest rate policy in Washington, DC, USA, January 28, 2026.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting released yesterday showed officials generally approved of keeping interest rates on hold. However, there was significant disagreement within the central bank about where monetary policy should go next.
As CNBC’s Jeff Cox reports, some Fed members said interest rates could fall further if inflation falls as expected. Some say such easing may not be necessary for some time, pending clear signs of disinflation.
Speaking of central banks, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC yesterday that the authors of the recent New York Fed paper should be “reprimanded.” Hassett said the study, which found that U.S. businesses and consumers were absorbing most of the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, was “the worst paper I’ve seen in the history of the Federal Reserve.”
3. Pills that are difficult to swallow
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty McCulley speaks during a press conference at the Department of Health and Human Services on November 10, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Elizabeth Franz | Reuters
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty McCulley warned yesterday that the U.S. is lagging behind China in early-stage drug development and said the U.S. needs to streamline the process for starting trials of new treatments.
In an interview with CNBC’s Annika Kim Constantino, McCurry also said that all drugs “should be over-the-counter drugs” except those that are dangerous, addictive or require supervision. Some in the pharmaceutical industry have questioned the effectiveness of such measures, warning that they could increase costs and reduce patient access.
meanwhile, moderna Yesterday, the FDA announced that it has agreed to review an experimental mRNA influenza vaccine. This is a reversal from the regulator’s previous rejection of the application. Moderna’s stock price rose about 6% in yesterday’s trading following the announcement.
4. Casebook
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives in Los Angeles Superior Court on February 18, 2026.
Jill Connelly | Getty Images
meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand yesterday in a landmark trial on social media and safety. As CNBC’s Jonathan Bunyan and Samantha Subin point out, the Los Angeles trial is just one of several major trials that have been described as the social media industry’s “Big Tobacco” moment.
In his testimony, Zuckerberg said that increasing the amount of time users spend on Instagram was not the company’s goal, even though emails he sent in 2015 made it seem like increasing engagement was a priority for the company. Facebook’s founder also said he had been approached. apple CEO Tim Cook talks about “the well-being of teens and children”.
Members of Mr. Zuckerberg’s team were seen entering the courtroom wearing Meta Ray-Ban artificial intelligence glasses, but Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl later threatened to hold anyone wearing smart glasses during the CEO’s testimony in contempt of court. “If you have done that, you have to remove it or you will be held in contempt of court,” Kuhl said.
5. Point game
A United Express plane sits at the gate of Chicago O’Hare International Airport on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois, on January 15, 2026.
Daniel Slim | AFP | Getty Images
If it’s flying united airlinesunless you have an airline credit card, you may earn fewer miles right away.
United Airlines announced Thursday that it will no longer offer benefits to customers flying basic economy who do not have an airline credit card. american airlines and delta airlines. Meanwhile, travelers who own the card can earn more points and receive mileage discounts.
As CNBC’s Leslie Josephs reports, the airline’s changes represent some of the biggest adjustments to its frequent flyer programs in more than a decade.
daily dividend
The Supreme Court could rule on President Trump’s tariffs as soon as this week. But as CNBC’s Gabriel Fonrouge and Natalie Rice report, the furniture industry likely won’t be resting still, regardless of the court’s ruling.
—CNBC’s Melissa Repko, Annie Palmer, Jeff Cox, Annika Kim Constantino, Samantha Subin, Jonathan Vanian, Leslie Josephs, Gabriel Fonrouge and Natalie Rice contributed to this report. Josephine Rozzelle edited this version.
