# US Session Premarket: US Futures Down; Target Shares Tumble 10% as Retailer Names New CEO Amid Ongoing Sales Decline
**Note**: This analysis is generated during US premarket, markets closed but futures trading. Event times in US Eastern Time.
## Major News
### Market Reactions and Stock Movements
As U.S. markets are poised for opening, futures trading indicates a mixed outlook. The S&P 500 futures are at 6,425.00, down 0.12%, while Nasdaq futures are trading at 23,411.00, reflecting a decline of 0.25%. The Dow futures remain unchanged at 44,998.00, suggesting a cautious sentiment among investors.
Across the Atlantic, European markets opened lower, with the DAX down 0.47% at 24,309.30 and the EURO STOXX 50 slightly down by 0.04% at 5,481.36. However, the FTSE 100 managed a gain, rising 0.62% to 9,246.18. In Asia, the Nikkei 225 closed down 1.51% at 42,888.55, reflecting ongoing concerns about economic stability in the region.
### Geopolitical Factors and Tariffs
Geopolitical tensions continue to influence market sentiment, particularly in the mining sector. President Trump criticized the delay of the Arizona copper mine project, which has been in development for around two decades by major firms Rio Tinto and BHP. The President’s remarks highlight ongoing frustrations with regulatory hurdles that could impact domestic resource extraction and economic growth.
On the tariff front, the recent earnings report from TJX Cos., the parent company of TJ Maxx, has garnered attention as it beat earnings expectations and raised its full-year guidance despite tariff pressures. This indicates that some companies are successfully navigating the challenges posed by tariffs, which could have broader implications for consumer prices and spending.
S&P Global has also weighed in on the potential impact of tariffs, noting that the revenue generated from Trump’s tariffs might offset negative effects on corporate tax bills. However, the agency cautioned that U.S. government debt credit ratings could come under pressure if political developments compromise the independence of the Federal Reserve.
### Corporate Earnings and Strategic Moves
In the realm of corporate earnings, several notable reports are influencing market dynamics. Target’s shares tumbled by 10% following the announcement of a new CEO and a continued decline in sales. Investors are keenly watching for signs of recovery from the struggling retailer, which has faced significant challenges in recent quarters.
Conversely, Lowe’s reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and announced the acquisition of a home professionals business for $8.8 billion, indicating its strategy to drive higher sales through targeted investments. This move aligns with broader trends in the home improvement sector, where demand remains robust.
Bank of America has upgraded Snowflake ahead of its upcoming earnings report, projecting more than a 20% upside. This bullish outlook reflects confidence in the tech sector’s performance, despite the overall mixed sentiment in the market.
In a contrasting scenario, Claire’s has announced the sale of most of its North American business after filing for bankruptcy, highlighting the ongoing struggles of retail companies in adapting to changing consumer behaviors.
### Current Market Overview
Overall, the market is navigating a complex landscape of earnings reports, geopolitical tensions, and tariff implications. Investors are particularly focused on retail earnings as they assess consumer sentiment and spending patterns. The mixed performance in U.S. futures and European markets suggests a cautious approach as traders await further clarity from upcoming economic indicators and the Federal Reserve’s minutes.
As the markets continue to react to these developments, the focus remains on how companies adapt to external pressures and the broader economic landscape. With earnings season in full swing, the next few days will be critical in shaping investor sentiment and market direction.
## Performances
### US Futures
US futures indicate opening sign for cash market.
| Future | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 Futures | 6,425.00 | -0.12 |
| Nasdaq Futures | 23,411.00 | -0.25 |
| Dow Futures | 44,998.00 | -0.00 |
### Major US Indices (Previous Close)
| Index | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 6,411.37 | -0.59 |
| Nasdaq | 21,314.95 | -1.46 |
| DJIA | 44,922.27 | 0.02 |
### FX Performance
| Currency Pair | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.1670 | 0.01 |
| USD/JPY | 147.3660 | -0.37 |
| GBP/USD | 1.3482 | -0.19 |
| USD/CHF | 0.8062 | -0.15 |
| AUD/USD | 0.6443 | -0.79 |
| USD/CAD | 1.3863 | 0.44 |
| NZD/USD | 0.5834 | -1.52 |
### Commodities Performance
| Commodity | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil | 62.54 | 0.30 |
| Gold | 3385.30 | 2.17 |
| Silver | 37.69 | 1.14 |
| Natural Gas | 2.75 | -0.51 |
| Copper | 4.43 | 0.57 |
### BTC and ETH Performance
| Crypto | Price | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC/USD) | 113,401.50 | 0.51 |
| Ethereum (ETH/USD) | 4,184.93 | 2.74 |
## High-Importance Economic Events
In today’s premarket session, several high-importance economic events are set to influence financial markets, particularly in the context of currency and commodity trading.
Starting with the UK, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July revealed an actual year-over-year increase of 3.8%, slightly above the forecast of 3.7%. This unexpected rise may bolster expectations of tighter monetary policy from the Bank of England, potentially impacting GBP trading positively.
In the Eurozone, the CPI for July met expectations at 2.0%. This stability suggests that inflation is under control, which may alleviate concerns about aggressive rate hikes from the European Central Bank, maintaining a stable outlook for the euro.
For the US, the Crude Oil Inventories report is anticipated, with expectations of a decrease of 0.800 million barrels. A larger-than-expected draw could drive oil prices higher, affecting related equities and sectors.
The FOMC Meeting Minutes, scheduled for later today, will provide insight into the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy outlook. Market participants will scrutinize these minutes for any signals regarding future interest rate adjustments.
Tomorrow, initial jobless claims are projected at 226K, and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index is expected at 6.8. These indicators will be pivotal in assessing the health of the US labor market and manufacturing sector, respectively.
On August 22, attention will turn to Germany’s GDP, with a forecasted contraction of 0.1%. This could have significant implications for the eurozone’s economic outlook.
Overall, these events are critical for shaping market sentiment, influencing currency valuations, and guiding investor strategies in the coming days.
| Date | Time | Cur | Imp | Event | Actual | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-20 | 02:00 | 🇬🇧 | High | CPI (YoY) (Jul) | 3.8% | 3.7% |
| 2025-08-20 | 05:00 | 🇪🇺 | High | CPI (YoY) (Jul) | 2.0% | 2.0% |
| 2025-08-20 | 10:30 | 🇺🇸 | High | Crude Oil Inventories | -0.800M | |
| 2025-08-20 | 14:00 | 🇺🇸 | High | FOMC Meeting Minutes | ||
| 2025-08-21 | 08:30 | 🇺🇸 | High | Initial Jobless Claims | 226K | |
| 2025-08-21 | 08:30 | 🇺🇸 | High | Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (Aug) | 6.8 | |
| 2025-08-21 | 09:45 | 🇺🇸 | High | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Aug) | 49.7 | |
| 2025-08-21 | 09:45 | 🇺🇸 | High | S&P Global Services PMI (Aug) | 54.2 | |
| 2025-08-21 | 10:00 | 🇺🇸 | High | Existing Home Sales (Jul) | 3.92M | |
| 2025-08-22 | 02:00 | 🇪🇺 | High | German GDP (QoQ) (Q2) | -0.1% | |
| 2025-08-22 | 10:00 | 🇺🇸 | High | Fed Chair Powell Speaks |
