Nike (NYSE:NKE) – Elliott Hill, who started as an intern at Nike in 1988, will become the next CEO on October 14, replacing John Donahoe. Hill, with a 32-year career at Nike, is known for his work ethic and dedication. This change comes at a critical time, with the company facing declining sales and increasing competition. Shares rose 6.8% in pre-market trading, after closing up 0.1% on Thursday.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX) – FedEx reported a sharp drop in quarterly profit and lowered its forecasts as customers opt for cheaper shipping options. CEO Raj Subramaniam cited weaker industrial demand and insufficient cost cuts. The company expects low growth next fiscal year and is ending a key contract with USPS. FedEx reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.60 in the fiscal first quarter, below estimates of $4.75. Revenue was $21.6 billion, also missing the $21.9 billion forecast. FedEx lowered its earnings outlook for fiscal 2025, expecting between $20 and $21 per share. Shares dropped 13.4% in pre-market trading, after closing up 0.7% on Thursday.

Lennar Corp (NYSE:LEN) – Lennar reported third-quarter earnings above expectations, driven by low housing supply and a decline in fixed mortgage rates to about 6.1%. Despite lower gross margins due to high costs, the company expects demand to rise with further interest rate cuts. Lennar reported earnings of $4.26 per share, beating LSEG estimates of $3.63. Revenue was boosted by the delivery of 21,516 homes, up from 18,559 the previous year. The company expects to deliver between 22,500 and 23,000 homes in the fourth quarter. Shares fell 2.5% in pre-market trading, after closing up 2.1% on Thursday.

Macy’s (NYSE:M), United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) – Macy’s announced it will hire over 31,500 employees for the holiday season, down from 38,000 last year, reflecting a weaker labor market and cautious consumers. In contrast, UPS plans to increase its seasonal hires to 125,000 workers. Macy’s shares are stable in pre-market trading, while UPS shares fell 2.4%.

Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon launched an AI application called Amelia to help independent sellers manage sales metrics, inventory, and advertising. The software provides quick responses to questions and can autonomously solve issues. Initially available to a limited group, Amelia aims to automate customer service and improve seller experiences. Shares fell 0.3% in pre-market trading, after closing up 1.9% on Thursday.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) – According to Mastercard, U.S. retail sales are expected to grow 3.2% this holiday season, with companies offering promotions to attract shoppers during a shorter shopping period. Online sales are expected to rise 7.1%. Falling inflation and a strong job market are supporting this recovery. Mastercard shares fell 0.2% in pre-market trading, after closing down 0.4% on Thursday.

AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC), Cinemark Holdings (NYSE:CNK) – Major cinema chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark announced a $2.2 billion investment over the next three years to modernize theaters in North America. Improvements include comfortable seating, immersive sound, laser projection technology, and facility upgrades. AMC shares rose 0.4% in pre-market trading, while Cinemark shares remain stable.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) – Walt Disney Animation Studios has appointed Jared Bush as Chief Creative Officer. Bush, who has worked at Disney for over a decade, is known for his role in acclaimed films such as “Encanto,” “Zootopia,” and “Moana.” He takes over from Jennifer Lee, who served as CCO since 2018 and co-wrote “Frozen.” Lee will now focus on directing and co-writing “Frozen 3” and “Frozen 4.” Bush is currently involved in producing “Zootopia 2” and “Moana 2,” scheduled for release in 2025 and 2024, respectively. He will oversee the creative production of the studio’s films, series, and associated projects.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) – Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said the company’s new AI software provides a complete solution for enterprise customers, emphasizing that users do not need to develop their own AI. Salesforce is focusing on AI “agents” that automate tasks without human supervision, aiming to deploy one billion agents within a year. In other news, Walt Disney announced it plans to discontinue using Salesforce’s Slack as a collaboration tool after a data breach by the hacker group NullBulge exposed over a terabyte of data. Disney CFO Hugh Johnston stated that most of the company’s businesses would leave the service by the end of the year, migrating to simplified corporate tools. Salesforce shares closed up 5.4% on Thursday.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY) – Hershey laid off a small number of employees this week, less than 1% of its 20,000 staff, as part of organizational changes aimed at generating $300 million in savings. These layoffs come amid rising cocoa prices and declining sales, according to Reuters.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) – Coca-Cola announced a $1 billion investment in its Nigerian operations over the next five years, as discussed during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu. Since 2013, the company has invested $1.5 billion in the country. Shares rose 0.3% in pre-market trading, after closing down 1.6% on Thursday.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) – New Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol believes employees should be in the office when necessary but will not impose specific days for attendance. Starbucks currently maintains a three-day office policy. Niccol emphasized the value of collaboration and plans to spend more time in the office, although his own remote work arrangement has sparked reactions. Shares fell 0.2% in pre-market trading, after closing up 0.8% on Thursday.

Elanco Animal Health (NYSE:ELAN) – The FDA approved Zenrelia, a new Elanco drug for treating skin diseases in dogs. The once-daily immunosuppressant controls itching and atopic dermatitis. Elanco plans to launch it soon at a price 20% lower than Apoquel, a competing treatment.

Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) – Airbnb has identified a significant opportunity to expand its long-term rental business, focusing on stays of 28 days or more, as short-term rentals face tighter regulations in tourist destinations like Athens and Barcelona. CEO Brian Chesky noted that these rentals now account for 17% to 18% of the company’s bookings.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) – Apple launched the iPhone 16 in nearly 60 countries, but the new model will not come with its AI software, Apple Intelligence, pre-installed. Users will need to download the features over time. T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said iPhone 16 sales surpassed those of the iPhone 15, with consumers opting for Pro and Max models more frequently. Meanwhile, analysts remain optimistic about the company’s holiday season performance. In Russia, retailers like M.Video-Eldorado and MTS launched pre-sales of the iPhone 16 despite Apple’s export ban to the country. Russian consumers will pay hundreds of dollars more than Americans due to parallel imports from non-sanctioned countries like China and Turkey. Shares fell 0.4% in pre-market trading, after closing up 3.7% on Thursday.

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) – Nvidia has partnered with Abu Dhabi’s G42 to create a climate technology lab focused on AI for weather forecasting. Using the Earth-2 platform, the companies will develop environmental solutions by leveraging vast geophysical data. Shares fell 0.6% in pre-market trading, after closing up 4.0% on Thursday.

OpenAI – OpenAI’s $6.5 billion fundraising round is nearing completion, with demand far exceeding the amount available. Investors such as Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple are expected to participate, while Sequoia Capital, which backed a rival startup, will not be involved. OpenAI’s valuation could reach $150 billion.

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:LYV) – Live Nation has asked a federal judge in New York to dismiss allegations that the company, along with Ticketmaster, inflated ticket prices and stifled competition. The company argues that the accusations do not show direct harm to consumers and defends its practices in contracts with artists and venues.

Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ:DJT) – Donald Trump has stated he will not sell his $1.7 billion stake in Trump Media after restrictions expire. However, other investors, such as United Atlantic Ventures and Patrick Orlando, may sell their shares soon. Trump Media shares fell 5.9% on Thursday, reflecting concerns over insider sales pressure. Shares dropped another 3.3% in pre-market trading on Friday.

Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN) – Sunrun shares closed down 5.8% on Thursday after the company ended its sales partnership with Costco. Costco disagreed with Sunrun’s subscription model, which offers less upfront revenue. Despite a partnership lasting over a decade, its impact on sales was limited. Shares rose 0.3% in pre-market trading.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL) – The sale of Shell’s 37.5% stake in the Schwedt refinery in Germany to Prax Group is delayed due to legal proceedings, including Rosneft’s attempt to block the deal. The sale was expected to close in early 2024 but now depends on negotiations and court decisions. Shares fell 0.3% in pre-market trading, after closing up 1.5% on Thursday.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) – ConocoPhillips will supply natural gas to Uniper SE for 10 years, delivering up to 10 billion cubic meters to northwestern Europe. This deal strengthens energy supply security in the region, which seeks alternatives to Russian gas, highlighting the continued importance of natural gas in Europe.

Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR) – Palantir Technologies secured a $100 million contract to expand access to its AI platform, Maven Smart System, across all branches of the U.S. military. The platform, which uses intelligence data and computer vision algorithms, aids in target identification and battlefield situation analysis. Shares fell 2.2% in pre-market trading, after closing up 1.2% on Thursday.

Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ:RKLB) – Rocket Lab USA aborted a rocket launch in New Zealand on Thursday after the flight computer halted ignition during the countdown. The rocket, intended to launch five Kineis nanosatellites, remained intact, and the company promised updates on a new launch date. Shares fell 0.4% in pre-market trading, after closing up 0.7% on Thursday.

Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) – Plug Power announced a new equipment leasing platform, aiming to generate $150 million in sales. Despite an initial share increase after the announcement, shares closed down 1.90% on Thursday. The company faces challenges with sales and is revising its revenue forecasts for the coming years while attempting to develop hydrogen technologies.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) – Tesla faced controversy at its German factory, with local residents concerned about water shortages and contamination. The factory, which was expected to boost the economy, has now become a contentious issue in local elections, potentially benefiting the far-right AfD party, which has criticized the facility. Shares fell 0.6% in pre-market trading, after closing up 7.4% on Thursday.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) – General Motors’ autonomous driving unit, Cruise, announced it will soon begin supervised tests with up to five autonomous vehicles in California’s Bay Area. Following an incident that suspended operations, the company resumed testing with human-driven vehicles. Shares fell 1.2% in pre-market trading, after closing down 0.1% on Thursday.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP) – Union Pacific projected revenue growth outpacing volumes over the next three years, with an annual compound growth rate for earnings per share between high single digits and low double digits. The company also plans to repurchase up to $5 billion in shares annually starting in 2025.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) – Delta Air Lines announced the suspension of flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv until December 31, citing security concerns in the Middle East. The airline issued a travel waiver and warned customers about possible flight schedule changes and cancellations.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) – Caterpillar is reviewing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies after activist Robby Starbuck warned of a possible social media attack. Shares closed up 5.1% on Thursday.

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B), Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) – BNSF Railway, controlled by Berkshire Hathaway, announced a five-year provisional agreement with the SMART union, providing an average wage increase of 3.5% per year, along with healthcare benefits and additional vacation days for railway workers. The contract still requires union ratification. Warren Buffett, through Berkshire Hathaway, sold $896 million worth of Bank of America shares this week. While Buffett has not publicly explained his decision, he still holds a significant position, which may soon fall below the regulatory threshold of 10%. Shares of BRK.B fell 0.1% in pre-market trading, while Bank of America shares dipped 0.4%.

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) – JPMorgan announced leadership changes to strengthen its healthcare and technology investment banking sectors. Ben Carpenter and Jeremy Meilman will become co-heads of healthcare globally, while Chris Grose and Greg Mendelson will take on the same roles in the technology sector.

UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) – According to Matthew Mish from UBS, a victory for Kamala Harris would benefit basic industry and utilities bonds, while sectors like telecommunications and technology could face challenges. On the other hand, a Donald Trump victory would favor energy and defense debts. UBS anticipates private credit deterioration but does not expect it to spread to the broader market unless the economy slows significantly.

UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) – Change Healthcare, part of UnitedHealth, secured new long-term contracts with hospitals and clients who had temporarily left the company following a February cyberattack. The move reflects a trend of diversification among service providers, accelerated by the hack, which highlighted the risks of relying on a single supplier.