Stocks fell on Thursday as Walmart’s lackluster profit outlook weighed heavily on the market. The S&P 500 dropped 0.4%, the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1%. Walmart’s stock plummeted over 6% after its disappointing forecast for this fiscal year, fueled by concerns about stubborn inflation.
OpenAI continues to grow, with over 400 million weekly active users as of this month, a 33% increase from December. However, rival startup DeepSeek has emerged, threatening tech stocks with comparable AI models at lower costs.
Airline customers appear more optimistic about Boeing’s turnaround, despite President Donald Trump’s criticism of the company’s Air Force One delivery delays. Trump is reportedly considering alternatives to the Boeing planes.
Walmart’s steady sales growth is attributed to upper-income shoppers, who have driven most of its market share gains in recent quarters. The retailer credits better pickup and delivery options through Walmart+ as well as expanded grocery offerings.
The James Bond franchise is undergoing a shakeup with Amazon taking creative control under an agreement with longtime producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/21/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-friday.html