Stock Market Today: Five Major Stories Investors Are Watching Before the Opening Bell

U.S. stock futures moved slightly lower on Monday, May 18, 2026, as investors prepared for a packed week of corporate earnings, Federal Reserve updates, energy-market uncertainty, and major company-specific news. The cautious mood came after stocks ended the previous week on a weaker note, even though the S&P 500 still managed to record its seventh straight weekly gain.

According to Investopedia, futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were modestly lower before the market opened, while Nasdaq futures were close to flat. Investors were watching oil prices, Treasury yields, technology stocks, and several major earnings reports that could set the tone for the week.

1. Stock Futures Edge Lower After a Sluggish Friday

Wall Street began the week with a careful tone. Stock futures were down slightly as traders reacted to a mix of market signals. On Friday, all three major indexes closed lower, mainly because technology shares lost some momentum after a strong recent rally.

Still, the broader market showed strength over the previous several weeks. The S&P 500 finished its seventh straight week of gains, suggesting that investors remained confident despite short-term weakness.

Oil prices were also in focus. West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $105 per barrel after briefly rising near $109 earlier in the session. Investors were watching geopolitical developments involving Iran, which added uncertainty to global energy markets.

Gold futures slipped slightly to around $4,555 an ounce, while bitcoin continued to weaken after falling from recent highs. The 10-year Treasury yield stood near 4.59%, close to its highest level in about a year.

2. Nvidia and Major Retailers Headline a Busy Earnings Week

This week’s earnings calendar is expected to be one of the biggest market drivers. Nvidia is likely to receive the most attention because investors continue to focus heavily on artificial intelligence demand, chip sales, and data-center growth.

Retailers will also be in the spotlight. Walmart, Target, TJX Companies, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are all scheduled to report quarterly results. Their numbers may give investors a clearer view of consumer spending, inflation pressure, housing-related demand, and the health of everyday shoppers.

Strong retail earnings could support confidence in the U.S. economy. Weak results, however, may raise concerns that consumers are becoming more cautious because of high prices, borrowing costs, or slower wage growth.

3. Federal Reserve Minutes Could Offer New Rate Clues

Investors are also waiting for minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting. These minutes are expected on Wednesday and may provide more detail about how Fed officials view inflation, interest rates, and the broader economy.

The Fed’s message matters because interest rates affect nearly every part of the market. Higher rates can pressure stocks by making borrowing more expensive for companies and consumers. Lower rates, on the other hand, can support growth and often make stocks more attractive.

Markets will look for signs of whether Fed officials are becoming more confident that inflation is cooling, or whether they still believe rates need to stay higher for longer.

4. Dominion Energy Shares Jump on NextEra Acquisition Deal

Dominion Energy shares surged in premarket trading after the company announced a deal to be acquired by NextEra Energy. Under the agreement, Dominion shareholders would receive a little more than 0.8 NextEra shares for each Dominion share they own.

The deal would create a much larger utility company, with NextEra shareholders expected to own just under 75% of the combined business. The transaction is expected to close within 12 to 18 months, assuming it receives the needed approvals.

Reports suggested the deal valued Dominion at about $76 per share, or roughly $66 billion. That represented a premium of more than 20% compared with Dominion’s Friday closing price. Dominion shares rose about 15% before the opening bell, while NextEra shares fell around 2%.

5. UnitedHealth Falls After Berkshire Hathaway Sells Stake

UnitedHealth Group shares moved lower after Berkshire Hathaway’s latest quarterly filing showed that the investment company sold its position in the health insurer during the first quarter.

Berkshire, now led by CEO Greg Abel after Warren Buffett’s retirement, also sold stakes in Amazon, Mastercard, and Visa. At the same time, the company added new positions in Delta Air Lines and Macy’s.

UnitedHealth shares were down about 4% in premarket trading, putting pressure on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Meanwhile, Delta and Macy’s shares gained more than 2% after Berkshire’s new investments became public.

6. Regeneron Drops After Clinical Trial Disappointment

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals shares fell sharply after the company announced disappointing results from a clinical trial. The study tested a combination of fianlimab and cemiplimab as a treatment for melanoma.

The trial did not meet its main goal of improving progression-free survival compared with an existing treatment. That result disappointed investors because clinical trial success is very important for pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs.

Regeneron shares dropped nearly 12% before the opening bell, making the stock one of the biggest premarket losers among major healthcare names.

Market Outlook

Overall, Monday’s market setup showed a cautious but active environment. Investors were not reacting to one single issue. Instead, they were balancing several major themes at once: earnings season, interest rates, oil prices, geopolitical tension, mergers, and company-specific surprises.

The biggest focus may remain on Nvidia and the retail sector. Nvidia’s results could influence the technology and AI trade, while Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s may help explain whether consumers are still spending at a healthy pace.

At the same time, the Federal Reserve minutes could change expectations for future interest-rate decisions. Because Treasury yields remain elevated, even small changes in Fed language could move stocks, bonds, and currencies.

For investors, the key message is simple: this week may bring important signals about both corporate strength and economic direction. With several major companies reporting results and central-bank details coming soon, markets could see more volatility in the days ahead.

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