Stock Markets February 25, 2026

Premarket Movers: Nvidia Inches Up as Several U.S. Stocks React to Earnings and Forecasts

Investors tread carefully ahead of major quarterly reports as individual company outlooks drive premarket volatility

By Caleb Monroe NVDA LOW HPQ WDAY FSLR
Premarket Movers: Nvidia Inches Up as Several U.S. Stocks React to Earnings and Forecasts
NVDA LOW HPQ WDAY FSLR

U.S. stock futures drifted higher in premarket trading as market participants awaited major corporate quarterly announcements amid ongoing uncertainty about global trade dynamics and the valuation of the AI sector. Individual companies produced a range of moves tied to earnings reports and forward guidance, with gains for some payments and fast-casual names and steep declines for several firms that issued cautious forecasts or revealed accounting issues.

Key Points

  • Nvidia rose 0.7% ahead of results viewed as a leading indicator for the AI trade and broader markets - impacts technology and AI-focused sectors.
  • Several companies cut or issued conservative guidance - Lowe's, HP, Workday and First Solar all saw significant premarket declines tied to weaker forecasts or headwinds.
  • Positive earnings and revenue drivers lifted select names - Axon, Circle Internet and Cava posted gains after stronger quarterly results or upbeat sales forecasts, affecting payments, law enforcement-technology, and restaurant sectors.

U.S. equity futures rose modestly on Wednesday morning as investors positioned themselves ahead of a slate of important quarterly reports, while broader market sentiment remained clouded by uncertainty over global trade conditions and questions surrounding the valuation of the artificial intelligence industry.

The following companies were among the largest movers in premarket activity:

  • Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) - Shares ticked up 0.7% as the world’s most valuable company prepared to report results that many market participants consider a bellwether for the global AI trade and a potential indicator of the broader trajectory of equity markets.
  • Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW) - The home improvement retailer’s stock dropped 3.5% after it issued a forecast for annual sales and profit that missed analysts’ expectations. The company attributed the softer outlook to Americans delaying large home renovation projects and cutting back on do-it-yourself spending amid economic uncertainty and higher borrowing costs.
  • HP (NYSE:HPQ) - Shares declined 5% following an underwhelming outlook for 2026, with the PC maker citing headwinds from U.S. trade regulations and rising memory chip prices.
  • Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY) - The enterprise software firm saw its stock fall 9.5% after management provided downbeat revenue guidance, saying corporations had pulled back on spending amid broader macroeconomic uncertainty.
  • First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) - The solar panel manufacturer’s shares slumped 15% after forecasting current-year sales below estimates, noting it expects higher product prices in the wake of additional tariffs on foreign-made panels.
  • Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ:AXON) - The Taser and body-camera producer jumped 17% after reporting a strong quarter and projecting significant revenue growth of 27%–30% by 2026.
  • Circle Internet (NYSE:CRCL) - The payments technology company surged 16% after reporting increased fourth-quarter revenue, helped by higher income from reserves tied to greater circulation of its stablecoin, USDC.
  • Driven Brands (NASDAQ:DRVN) - The car washes operator plunged 21% after its auditor identified material errors, prompting the company to announce it will restate prior financial statements.
  • Camping World (NYSE:CWH) - The recreational vehicle retailer’s stock fell 12% following a larger-than-expected loss for the fourth quarter.
  • Cava Group (NYSE:CAVA) - Shares rose 10% after the fast-casual restaurant chain’s forecast for comparable restaurant sales in 2026 came in above expectations.

These varied moves reflect a mix of company-specific developments from guidance misses and accounting actions to stronger-than-expected revenue and growth projections. The session underscored how individual corporate announcements continued to drive premarket volatility across retail, technology, renewable energy, payments, and restaurant sectors.


Note: The article reports premarket percentage moves and company statements as provided in the respective premarket notices and earnings-related disclosures.

Risks

  • Ongoing uncertainty about global trade and the valuation of the AI industry could keep market swings elevated - this affects technology and manufacturing-linked stocks.
  • Companies issuing cautious forecasts or revealing accounting problems may face continued volatility and investor scrutiny - relevant to retail, services, and corporate governance-sensitive sectors.
  • Rising input costs and regulatory actions cited by firms (such as memory chip price increases and tariffs) pose risks to margin forecasts in hardware and renewable equipment industries.

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