Three very different moves today. One company is selling a big stake to clean up its debt story, one security heavyweight beat the quarter but stumbled on what’s next, and one online casino just dropped numbers that make you do a double-take. We’ll show you how to play each one without chasing the first spike.
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Futures at a Glance📈
Futures are leaning green this morning, but it’s more cautious optimism than party mode. Traders are basically killing time until the Fed meeting minutes drop, with Friday’s PCE inflation read looming as the real mood-setter. Tech is still in the penalty box after the recent wobble, but the bar for a pleasant surprise is lower now, so even decent news could get a warmer reaction.
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What to Watch
Earnings (Premarket):
• Analog Devices, Inc. [ADI]
• Moody’s Corporation [MCO]
Earnings (Aftermarket):
• Booking Holdings Inc. [BKNG]
• CRH PLC [CRH]
• Carvana Co. [CVNA]
• DoorDash, Inc. [DASH]
• Occidental Petroleum Corporation [OXY]
Economic Reports:
• Housing starts (Nov, delayed): 8:30 am
• Building permits (Nov): 8:30 am
• Housing starts (Dec, delayed): 8:30 am
• Building permits (Dec): 8:30 am
• Durable-goods orders (Dec, delayed): 8:30 am
• Durable-goods minus transportation (Dec): 8:30 am
• Industrial production (Jan): 9:15 am
• Capacity utilization (Jan): 9:15 am
Fed / Policy:
• Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman speaks: 1:00 pm
• Minutes of Fed’s January FOMC meeting: 2:00 pm
Technology
Western Digital Sells A Souvenir To Pay Down The Tab
Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC) is doing the corporate version of cleaning out the garage. It plans to raise about $3.17 billion by selling part of its remaining stake in Sandisk, with the goal of trimming debt and simplifying the story.
This is less “something’s wrong” and more “let’s stop carrying extra luggage through the airport”. Investors usually like debt paydowns because it gives the company more breathing room when the cycle gets moody and competition gets loud. And yes, the sale is happening at a discount, but that is the price of getting cash now instead of waiting for the perfect moment that never shows up.
The bigger takeaway is what comes next. Management has hinted it intends to eventually exit the rest of the position too, which means more housekeeping could be coming. The stock has already had a monster run, so the easy money is behind us and the next leg will depend on execution, not headlines.
My Take For You: If you own it, consider trimming a little into strength and keep the rest. If you do not, wait for a calmer pullback before starting small.
My Verdict: Solid business move, but after a huge run, treat new buys like a starter position, not a victory lap.
Cybersecurity
Palo Alto Beats The Test, Trips On The Next Question
Palo Alto Networks Inc (NASDAQ: PANW) did the classic report card fake-out. It beat expectations, showed healthy growth, and still got smacked because guidance for the next quarter did not wow the crowd.
That is how this stock trades right now. Investors are not only asking how you did, but they are also asking how confident you are about the next 90 days. When that confidence comes in light, the market punishes first and reads the footnotes later.
There is also a second layer here. Palo Alto Networks Inc (NASDAQ: PANW) is in full shopping spree mode, trying to become the one-stop security closet. That can be smart, but it also makes investors watch margins and integration risk like hawks. You can grow fast, but you have to prove it is not messy growth.
So the play is simple. Do not chase the drop on emotion and do not buy the bounce on relief. Let the stock settle and look for a steadier base before adding.
My Take For You: If you are in, keep it modest and set a clear line where you would trim if weakness sticks. If you are not, start small only after it stops sliding.
My Verdict: Great franchise, but the stock is in a mood. Buy carefully, not bravely.
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Online Gaming
Rush Street Prints Records, Then Dares You To Chase
Rush Street Interactive Inc (NYSE: RSI) just dropped a quarter that looks like it ate its vegetables. Revenue hit a record, profits showed up, and the outlook for 2026 is higher. That is the kind of update that usually gets investors leaning forward in their chairs.
The fun part is the company is not just saying “we grew,” it is implying it can keep growing while staying more disciplined on spending. That is the grown-up version of the online betting story, and it tends to get rewarded when markets are picky.
The watch-out is that this stock can still move like a headline machine. Online gaming names can rip on good news, then give it back when traders rotate to the next shiny thing. Also, expansion stories always come with a few speed bumps like taxes, new rules, or surprise promotional battles.
So instead of chasing a big green candle, treat it like a first date. Let it prove it can repeat the performance. If the stock holds gains and the next update keeps the tone confident, you can add.
My Take For You: Start with a small position only if it stays strong after the initial excitement fades. Add later, not immediately.
My Verdict: Improving story and real momentum, but buy in layers, not in one bite.
Poll: Which purchase do/did you analyze the longest before committing?
Movers and Shakers
American Superconductor Corp [AMSC]: Premarket Move: +8%
This one just pulled the rare earnings trick: it didn’t beat, it curb-stomped expectations. When a small-ish name posts a monster EPS surprise, the big funds have to stop pretending they’ve never heard of it.
Still, this stock has a history of sprinting first and asking questions later, so don’t confuse a headline pop with a new personality.
My Take: If you want in, start small and let the first 30–60 minutes calm down. Add only if it holds the move and volume stays real, not just opening fireworks.
Cadence Design Systems Inc [CDNS]: Premarket Move: +6%
The chip-design seller is back in favor. Strong results plus AI demand is basically the market’s comfort food right now, so traders hit the buy button before they even finish chewing.
The risk is when a stock’s been loved for a while, good sometimes needs to be great every single quarter.
My Take: Don’t chase it. If it holds green after the open, a starter buy can work. If it fades, wait for a cleaner pullback and a better price.
MKS Incorporated [MKSI]: Premarket Move: −9%
They posted a profit beat, but the market saw a revenue miss and said, “Thanks, I’m full.” After a big run, investors get picky, and any smudge on the report turns into a slip on a banana peel.
This looks more like expectations getting reset than the business falling apart overnight.
My Take: Let it find its footing. If it stabilizes and stops making new lows, you can nibble. If it keeps sliding, don’t play hero, wait for a calmer base.
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Everything Else
Trump is pitching a new U.S.-Japan trade package that leans hard on oil and gas plus minerals, because nothing says romance like resource policy.
Tesla is working to bring Grok in-car to the U.K. and Europe, which is either a fun upgrade or a new way to argue with your dashboard.
Mistral’s CEO is warning that AI will force companies to switch up their software habits, with India front and center in the impact conversation.
Microsoft says it’s staying on pace to invest $50 billion to push AI across the Global South, going big on infrastructure and access.
Nvidia is lining up a multi-year chip deal with Meta that could run into the millions of chips, because apparently the AI arms race now comes in bulk packs.
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. If you have any feedback, please reply to this email.
Best Regards,
— Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club
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