U.S. stock futures were mixed in early Thursday trading, with investors showing restraint ahead of crucial U.S. inflation data that could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's policy path next week. Oil prices remained above $100 a barrel and Treasury yields stayed elevated, underscoring the macro backdrop that market participants are parsing as corporate earnings continue to drive stock-specific moves.
By 07:02 ET, Dow Jones futures were up 0.2% at 52,532 points, S&P 500 futures had climbed 0.07% to 7,639 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures were lower by 0.24% at 29,376 points. The mixed futures action reflected a market balancing macroeconomic sensitivity with fresh company-level news in the retail and healthcare sectors.
Retail earnings and inventory strains pressure some names
Apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters saw its shares fall more than 11% in premarket trading after reporting quarterly results that highlighted ongoing pressure across its core brands and a flat gross-margin outlook. Management said the company remains engaged in discounting to clear older inventory, a consequence of a sharp shift in fashion trends that left certain merchandise mismatched with current consumer preferences. Inventory carrying costs rose 14% year over year in the quarter ended August 1, a figure that included the impact of additional tariffs.
American Eagle also noted that consumers remain selective amid persistent inflation, favoring essential purchases and waiting for promotional activity, a dynamic that weighs on discretionary apparel demand. The stock has already fallen roughly 36% year to date.
Shoe Carnival, which has rebranded to Shoe Station Group, plunged 23.3% before markets opened after releasing disappointing second-quarter results and trimming its full-year outlook. Net sales for the quarter ended August 1 dropped to $284.3 million from $306.4 million a year earlier, coming in below analyst expectations of about $299 million. Company management pointed to increasingly promotional conditions in the footwear market, which forced price reductions and accelerated liquidation of aged and excess inventory, placing significant pressure on gross margins.
The footwear retailer also lowered its full-year 2026 sales projection and adjusted earnings guidance, specifically citing ongoing softness in the family footwear market as the rationale for the revisions.
Healthcare and specialty names see divergent moves
Cooper Companies experienced a steep premarket decline of 15.3% after the contact-lens and medical-device maker reported a revenue shortfall, cut its outlook and concluded a lengthy strategic review without divesting its CooperSurgical business. Fiscal third-quarter revenue totaled $1.07 billion, below the roughly $1.1 billion analysts had anticipated. Adjusted earnings per share of $1.15 narrowly exceeded the $1.12 consensus, but the company’s fourth-quarter revenue outlook of $1.057 billion to $1.080 billion - implying organic growth of 0% to 2% - fell short of Wall Street expectations of about $1.12 billion. Management attributed part of the near-term weakness to lower inventory levels in CooperVision’s U.S. distribution channel.
Following an extended review of potential acquisition offers for CooperSurgical dating back to December 2025, the company’s board unanimously voted to retain the division, concluding that bids did not adequately reflect its value.
In contrast, smaller healthcare and biotech-related names posted gains. Alumis rose 6.3% premarket after its presentation at the Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference, where management discussed encouraging long-term data for psoriasis candidate envudeucitinib and indicated the company is exploring partnership opportunities to broaden the drug’s reach. Ongoing studies were cited as showing approximately 40% complete skin clearance at six months and roughly 55% at 48 weeks. The company also addressed a mixed result from a lupus trial and outlined a narrower development approach targeting a biomarker-defined subgroup of patients.
Selective strength in smaller-cap retail and manufacturing
Fabric manufacturer Culp jumped 18.8% in premarket trading after posting fiscal first-quarter results that beat expectations on both the top and bottom lines. Reported EPS was $0.47, above the $0.44 analyst consensus, while revenue reached $53.97 million versus expected revenue of $53.2 million. Investors focused on a notable improvement in cash generation: operating cash flow swung to a positive $8.1 million from a $695,000 outflow a year earlier, and net debt declined by more than 70% to $3.1 million.
Management highlighted the bedding segment as a standout, with sales up 13.2% year over year and adjusted gross margin expanding to 13.6% from 10.5%. While the company retained a cautious outlook given tariff uncertainty and broader economic headwinds, it pointed to stable sequential sales volumes and continued strength in the bedding sector during the quarter.
Luxury apparel company Vince Holding saw shares rise 5.3% in premarket trade after reporting fiscal second-quarter results. The market reaction followed a strong prior quarter in which net sales increased 10.5% year over year to $64 million, with direct-to-consumer sales up 15.6% and wholesale revenue up 5.9%. Management had earlier set a demanding target for the quarter, forecasting second-quarter sales growth of 10% to 12% and an adjusted operating margin of 6.5% to 7%.
Overall, the premarket landscape combined macro-driven caution with pronounced company-level volatility. Retailers contended with inventory and promotion-driven margin pressure, some healthcare names navigated mixed clinical and strategic outcomes, and smaller-cap industrial and luxury apparel companies displayed pockets of outperformance. Traders remained attentive to incoming inflation data and the associated implications for interest rates and consumer behavior.