Daily pre market highlight, Stock Futures Slip as Fed Meeting Begins

Stock Futures Slip as Fed Meeting Begins; Palantir, Ford, and DoorDash Under Pressure

U.S. stock futures are trading lower Tuesday morning as investors brace for the start of the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting. Meanwhile, notable corporate developments are shaking up premarket trading, with Palantir falling after a lukewarm earnings report, Ford suspending its outlook due to tariff concerns, and DoorDash sliding on weaker-than-expected revenue and a major acquisition.

Here’s what you need to know before markets open:

1. Markets Open Lower Amid Fed Jitters and Tariff Concerns

U.S. stock futures are retreating, with investors closely watching for guidance from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting starting today. S&P 500 futures are down 0.8%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are off 0.7%, and Nasdaq futures have declined 1.1% after a mixed session on Monday. The recent market weakness follows weeks of gains, as concerns over global tariffs and monetary policy weigh on sentiment.

Bitcoin is hovering near $94,000, while oil and gold are ticking higher. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note remain relatively flat, indicating cautious investor positioning.

2. Federal Reserve Meeting Begins as Powell Faces Interest Rate Pressure

The Fed kicks off its two-day meeting today, with markets expecting no change to the current 4.25%–4.50% target rate. Investors are watching for signs of when rate cuts may begin, particularly after last week’s steady jobs report and stagnant inflation figures. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is also under renewed political pressure, as calls grow for more accommodative monetary policy.

While a rate decision is unlikely today, any shift in tone or forward guidance could move markets significantly.

3. Palantir Drops After AI-Driven Hype Fizzles Post-Earnings

Shares of Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR) are down more than 7% in premarket trading, as its Q1 earnings failed to wow investors despite beating revenue estimates. The AI software firm posted revenue of $884 million, up 39% year-over-year, with EPS of $0.13, in line with forecasts.

While Palantir raised its full-year revenue outlook to $3.89 billion–$3.9 billion, investors appeared to be pricing in even stronger results amid growing AI excitement—leading to a sharp sell-off.

4. Ford Suspends Guidance as Tariff Uncertainty Weighs

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) stock is down over 2% in early trading after the automaker posted Q1 earnings that topped expectations but paused its full-year guidance. The company cited rising tariff risks and supply chain uncertainty, estimating a $1.5 billion hit to adjusted EBIT this year.

Ford reported Q1 EPS of $0.14, down 71% year-over-year, on $40.7 billion in revenue, a 5% decline. The outlook suspension signals concern over broader industry impacts from global trade tensions.

5. DoorDash Tumbles After Missed Revenue and $3.86B Deliveroo Deal

DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) shares are down 3% after the company released its Q1 results a day early, missing revenue expectations and announcing two acquisitions. The food delivery platform reported $3.03 billion in revenue versus $3.10 billion expected by analysts.

In an aggressive expansion move, DoorDash will acquire U.K.-based Deliveroo for approximately $3.86 billion and restaurant tech firm SevenRooms, aiming to strengthen its international presence and dining ecosystem.

Bottom Line

As the Federal Reserve takes center stage today, investor focus is shifting toward policy direction, inflation trends, and geopolitical trade risks. With key stocks like Palantir, Ford, and DoorDash making headlines, markets are reacting swiftly to any signs of weakness or uncertainty.