5 Things to Watch on
January 27, 2026

Markets edged higher in premarket trading as a strong start to earnings season helped steady sentiment ahead of this week's Federal Reserve decision. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures were led by big tech ahead of results from Apple (AAPL), Meta Platforms (META) and Microsoft (MSFT), while Dow futures lagged on weakness in UnitedHealth Group (UNH).

With roughly three-quarters of S&P 500 companies beating expectations so far, investors remain focused on earnings strength even as tariff risks and policy uncertainty linger. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady, shifting attention to guidance on future cuts and whether earnings momentum can sustain the market's advance.

Meta Platforms (META) is preparing to test new paid subscription tiers across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, offering enhanced AI tools, productivity features, and creative capabilities as it looks to monetize heavy AI investments. At the same time, META has committed up to $6B through 2030 to Corning (GLW) for fiber-optic cable to support its expanding AI data center buildout, highlighting the scale of infrastructure spending underpinning its long-term AI strategy.

Micron Technology (MU) is up more than +3.0% in premarket trading after it broke ground on a new advanced wafer fab in Singapore, underscoring its long-term commitment to memory manufacturing. The project represents a $24B investment and strengthens Singapore's role as MU's NAND center of excellence. Once operational, the facility will help support growing demand for NAND technology as AI and data-driven applications continue to expand, reinforcing MU's position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Salesforce (CRM) is up more than +2.0% in premarket trading after its Computable Insights unit secured a major U.S. military contract, reinforcing its role in government modernization efforts. The agreement highlights growing demand for cloud, AI, and data tools to streamline operations and decision-making across the armed forces. Analysts view the shift as a sign the military is prioritizing long-term, outcome-driven digital transformation over piecemeal software purchases, strengthening Salesforce's strategic position.

Boeing (BA) is down -1.1% in premarket trading despite posting Q4 revenue well ahead of expectations, driven by its highest aircraft deliveries since 2018, signaling momentum in its multi-year recovery. Revenue reached $23.9B, up +57% YoY, with cash flow of $400M also exceeding estimates, helped by stronger commercial aircraft and defense performance. Management said production is ramping further in 2026, though regulators still need to approve higher 737 MAX output, and delayed certifications remain key investor watchpoints.