5 things to know before the stock market opens Friday

Happy Friday. I’m CJ, filling in for Alex this morning. You probably know me from my coverage of technology stocks from 2024 onwards. My colleagues know me as the news contributor who can fold a serious origami crane. Speaking of things flying, wait until you hear where the shares are Dell Technologies Moving forward after AI-fueled earnings this morning.

Stock futures are higher before the bell. All three major averages are coming off a winning session and on pace for a positive week.

Here are five key things investors need to know to start their trading day:

Iranian state media reported yesterday that Tehran fired missiles at unknown targets. The latest military action comes after the White House confirmed a report that the US and Iran have “mostly agreed” on the terms of a deal to end the conflict, although President Donald Trump has not yet given his final approval.

Know here what it is:

Inflation continues to hit consumers this spring. The Commerce Department reported yesterday that the personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.4% last month, bringing the annual rate to 3.8% – the highest level since May 2023. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% in April to an annual rate of 3.3%.

The 12-month reading was in line with expectations but both monthly figures were slightly below Wall Street expectations, a sign that the recent rise in prices may be tapering off, CNBC’s Jeff Cox reports.

Americans are saving less due to inflationary pressures. Bureau of Economic Analysis data published yesterday showed that the personal savings rate fell to its lowest level since 2022 as the costs of everyday living, as well as gas and grocery prices, outstripped paychecks.

shares of Ditch technologies The company surged 39% in extended trading after it posted the fastest pace of revenue growth since returning to the public markets in 2018.

The server maker topped analysts’ expectations on both lines, reporting an 88% annual increase in revenue due to a flood of AI demand. Dell said it now expects $60 billion in AI revenue for the year, up from a forecast of $50 billion in February.

CEO Michael Dell was an early supporter of Trump’s second term, CNBC’s Garrett Downs, Hayley Cuccinello and Jordan Novet report. Now, his company is having its best month in years and just this week signed a $9.7 billion deal with the Pentagon.

Thursday’s retail earnings saw mixed results. shares of American Eagle The company is down nearly 10% before the bell after the company reported a decline in revenue for its namesake brand in the first quarter, despite ramping up its marketing campaign with actress Sydney Sweeney.

During this time, of gap The namesake banner’s first-quarter comparable sales rose 10%, exceeding analysts’ expectations. But sluggish sales at Old Navy caused the retailer to cut its full-year sales outlook, sending shares down about 15% in premarket trading.

best BuyOn the other hand, it closed Thursday’s session up 15% after better-than-expected Q1 results and a modest rise in revenue.

Families are now able to download the Trump Accounts app, bringing the tax-deferred investment account program one step closer to its official launch on July 4.

An account can be opened for all American children with a Social Security number. Children born between 2025 and 2028 will be eligible for an initial $1,000 deposit from the Treasury Department, and a growing list of companies and philanthropists are promising to match that deposit for some eligible families.

Here are some stories from this week you won’t want to miss:

— cnbc Kevin Breuninger, Spencer Kimball, Hugh Leask, Justin Papp, Lisa Kailai Han, Kameron McNair, Jeff Cox, Jordan Novette, Garrett Downs, Hayley Cuccinello, Gabrielle Fonrouge, Amelia Lucas, Eunice Yoon and Charlotte Morabito contributed to this report.

CNBC’s Josephine Rozelle edited this edition.