Stock futures continued to decline Wednesday morning as investors assessed the escalating conflict in the Middle East, anticipated important economic data for insights on interest rates, and confronted rising oil prices that heighten inflation risks.
Here are some of Wednesday’s biggest stock movers:
Biggest stock gainers
- Ross Stores (ROST) +6% – Shares jumped after reporting strong Q4 results and issuing upbeat guidance, as solid holiday sales and stepped-up marketing helped offset tariff pressures and softer consumer sentiment. For Q1, the company expects comparable sales growth of 7% to 8%, well above estimates of about 3.7%, driving EPS of $1.60 to $1.67, up 11% Y/Y and around the $1.63 consensus. For FY2027, Ross forecasts same-store sales growth of 3% to 4% vs. roughly 3% expectations and EPS of $7.01 to $7.36 compared with $7.21 estimates. The company also hiked the dividend by 10%.
- Moderna (MRNA) +5% – Shares rose after reaching a $950M patent litigation settlement with Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) and Genevant Sciences (ROIV), resolving disputes tied to its COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. The payment, due in Q3 and to be recorded as a Q1 charge, eliminates future royalty obligations and provides clarity across its infectious disease portfolio, including Spikevax, mRESVIA, mNEXSPIKE, and mCOMBRIAX. Following the settlement, Moderna expects to end the year with $4.5B–$5B in cash and equivalents. The company will appeal to the U.S. Federal Circuit, arguing that government-contractor immunity limits its liability; a favorable ruling would remove any additional payment, while an adverse decision could require up to another $1.3B within 90 days.
Biggest stock losers
- Horizon Technology Finance (HRZN) -10% – Shares dipped after reporting net investment income and total investment income below expectations. Total investment income came in at $20.7M, missing the $23.9M estimate and declining from $26.3M in the prior quarter and $23.5M a year earlier. Although the company returned to portfolio growth in Q4, net asset value per share edged lower as distributions exceeded NII during the quarter, with management noting that reduced prepayment activity also weighed on results.
- GitLab (GTLB) -9% – Shares slid despite a Q4 earnings beat and revenue growth of 23.2% Y/Y, as a softer-than-expected outlook weighed on sentiment. For Q1, the company guided revenue of $253M–$255M vs. the $256.7M consensus, with non-GAAP operating income of $32M–$34M and EPS of $0.20–$0.21, roughly in line with estimates. For FY2027, GitLab expects revenue of $1.099B–$1.118B, below the $1.13B consensus, along with non-GAAP operating income of $129M–$137M and EPS of $0.76–$0.80, well under the $1.03 forecast.