Merck Soars, GameStop Plummets in Pre-Market Drama

Key Takeaway
GameStop ( $GameStop(GME.US)$ ) and Forge Global ( $Forge Global(FRGE.US)$ ) face pre-market declines of 17% and 11% respectively, while Novocure ( $Novocure(NVCR.US)$ ) surges 30% on positive trial results.
Merck ( $Merck & Co(MRK.US)$ ) gains 4% after FDA approval of its treatment, highlighting a day of significant volatility and strategic moves in the U.S. stock market.
A Glimpse into Quarter-End Moves
As the curtains draw near on the quarter, S&P 500 futures are hinting at a positive start, up by 0.4%. This uptick is mirrored across the board with Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures, both also climbing by 0.4%. Amidst this optimistic prelude, the MSCI World index remains steady, setting the stage for a day of significant movements among U.S. equities.
Highs and Lows in the Market
The pre-market session today is a mixed bag of fortunes. On one end, Forge Global (FRGE) sees an 11% dip following a fourth-quarter revenue report that didn't meet analyst expectations. GameStop (GME) follows suit, tumbling by 17% due to its fourth-quarter earnings and net sales falling short of forecasts. However, it's not all gloom, as Merck (MRK) enjoys a 4% uplift after its pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment, Winrevair, received the FDA's nod of approval.
Surprises and Strategic Moves
In a turn of events, NCino ascends by 12%, buoyed by an optimistic adjusted earnings forecast. Novocure steals the spotlight with a 30% surge after announcing its late-stage trial for a lung cancer treatment met its primary endpoint. Nuvation Bio and One Group Hospitality are also on the rise, with respective jumps of 16% and 12%, the former buoyed by an upgrade at Jefferies and the latter by its acquisition of Benihana owner, Safflower Holdings, for $365m. Robinhood sees a 5% increase after unveiling a new credit card for U.S. consumers, and Trump Media continues its upward trajectory, aiming to build on a 16% rally from its debut trading day.