5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens Monday

News of the day for May 5, 2025

Terry Lane

Mon, May 5, 2025, 5:23 AM 3 min read

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) CEO Warren Buffett announced his retirement plans as the conglomerate reported falling earnings and larger cash holdings; investors are watching Palantir (PLTR) and Ford (F) ahead of their earnings reports later today; Netflix (NFLX), Comcast (CMCSA) and Disney (DIS) shares were lower after President Trump called for tariffs on foreign-made films; market watchers prepare for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later this week.

Here's what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Fall as S&P 500 Starts Week on Longest Winning Streak in 20 Years

Stock futures moved lower as investors looked to build on the recent winning streak in markets ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve interest rate decision and a raft of earnings reports.

S&P 500 futures were down 0.8% premarket after the benchmark index rose 3% in the prior week as it extended its winning streak to nine straight sessions, its longest rally in 20 years. Nasdaq futures were down by more than 0.9%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were lower by 0.6%. Those indexes also advanced last week. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) slipped, trading around $94,500. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was around 4.3%. Gold futures gained to move past $3,300 an ounce, while oil futures dipped.

2. Buffett Announces Plans to Retire, Criticizes Tariffs As Berkshire Earnings Fall

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) CEO Warren Buffett at the company’s weekend annual shareholder meeting said that he would retire at the end of the year after leading the conglomerate since 1965. The announcement came after the company reported first-quarter operating earnings that dropped 14.1% year-over-year as its insurance underwriting business took a hit and it increased its cash holdings. Buffett also criticized President Donald Trump’s tariffs policy, arguing that “trade should not be a weapon.” Berkshire Hathaway shares were lower by around 2% in premarket trading.

3. Investors Watch Palantir, Ford Shares Ahead of Earnings

Investors are watching Palantir (PLTR) and Ford (F) ahead of their earnings reports scheduled for after the market's close today. Palantir shares pointed higher in premarket trading as analysts tracked by Visible Alpha anticipate that the artificial intelligence software firm will report a 36% year-over-year jump in revenue to increase adjusted earnings per share to 13 cents. Ford shares were little changed; the automaker’s report comes as Trump’s tariffs on vehicles and parts threatens to increase the company’s costs. Tyson Foods (TSN), Clorox (CLX) and Onsemi (ON) are also scheduled to report today.