U.S. equity futures showed a downturn on Friday as President Donald Trump indicated possible military measures against Iran, introducing geopolitical uncertainty to markets. This was compounded by Intel's disappointing financial results, further dampening investor sentiment.
Among key movers before the market opened, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) shares saw a steep decline of 13% after the semiconductor manufacturer disclosed a $333 million net loss in the fourth quarter. The company also projected a challenging outlook for the upcoming quarter, highlighting ongoing supply chain constraints that may persist through 2026.
Conversely, Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) experienced a 1.4% gain. Bloomberg reported that Chinese officials have permitted domestic tech firms to prepare purchase orders for Nvidia's H200 AI chips. This development suggests that Chinese regulators may soon grant formal approval for importing these crucial AI components, potentially boosting Nvidia's market reach in China.
In the medical technology sector, Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) posted a 1.6% rise in stock value. The company outpaced Wall Street's expectations for fourth-quarter earnings and revenue, driven by rising demand for its surgical robots facilitating minimally invasive procedures.
Shares of Clorox (NYSE:CLX) dipped slightly by 0.2% following news of its agreement to acquire Gojo Industries, the maker of Purell, in a transaction valued at $2.25 billion.
Capital One (NYSE:COF) shares fell by 2.4% after the bank reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings below forecasts. The company also disclosed plans to acquire fintech startup Brex for $5.15 billion, a move that reflects strategic expansion despite near-term earnings misses.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX) saw its stock decline by 0.5%, as it announced intentions to eliminate up to 500 jobs in France. This workforce reduction forms part of a broader restructuring aimed at overhauling its domestic operations within the country.
Energy technology firm Slb (NYSE:SLB) posted a modest 0.3% increase after exceeding analyst earnings predictions for the fourth quarter. The company's results benefited from strong activity in North America and growing international demand. Additionally, Slb declared a dividend hike and pledged to return over $4 billion to shareholders by 2026.
Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH) stock rose sharply by 5.6%. Despite a decline in revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, the advanced technology consultancy exceeded profitability expectations, drawing investor attention to its solid margins.
Companies in the silver mining industry also experienced gains, with Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) and Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE) advancing as silver prices matched record peaks and approached $100 per ounce for the first time.
Airline stocks faced headwinds amid adverse weather conditions across the United States. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU), and Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) all declined in value following a winter storm that brought heavy snow and sleet, resulting in the cancellation of numerous scheduled flights.