Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:
Warner Bros. Discovery — The owner of HBO and CNN saw a rally of over 4% after Bloomberg News reported that WBD had turned down Paramount Skydance’s proposed buyout offer of approximately $20 per share. Sources indicate that the suitor might respond with a higher bid, consider a hostile takeover, or seek a partner.
Bloom Energy — This energy stock surged by 26% following a significant $5 billion partnership with Brookfield Asset Management. The collaboration aims to install fuel cells in artificial intelligence data centers, marking a major step forward for the company.
Shake Shack — The popular burger chain experienced a 2% increase after Jefferies upgraded its rating from underperform to hold. Jefferies noted that the risk-reward ratio has become more balanced following a recent decline in the stock’s value.
Estee Lauder — The cosmetics giant, known for brands like Clinique and Origins, saw a 4% jump after Goldman Sachs upgraded its stock to a buy rating. The bank projected a 30% upside for Estee Lauder, highlighting that the stock is approaching a fundamental inflection point.
Rocket Lab — Shares of the rocket company rose nearly 6% in premarket trading after Morgan Stanley raised its price target to a Street-high level. The firm emphasized that the upcoming launch of the Neutron program is a significant catalyst for the stock’s performance.
USA Rare Earth — Shares of U.S. rare earth miners soared after President Donald Trump threatened China with retaliation over its stringent export controls. USA Rare Earth jumped over 18%, while Critical Metals also surged 18%. Energy Fuels saw an increase of more than 11%, and MP Materials climbed approximately 8%.
StubHub — The online ticket platform advanced about 5% following positive initiations of research coverage from several Wall Street firms after its initial public offering on September 17. Goldman Sachs rated StubHub a buy, predicting continued growth as consumers increasingly prioritize experiences over products.
Sprouts Farmers Market — The specialty grocery chain rose around 2% after RBC Capital upgraded its investment opinion on the stock. The firm suggested that the stock could rise by 44% from Friday’s close if same-store sales growth exceeds pre-COVID levels.
— CNBC’s Alex Harring, Michelle Fox, Fred Imbert, and Scott Schnipper contributed reporting. (Learn the best 2026 strategies from inside the NYSE with Josh Brown and others at CNBC PRO Live. Tickets and info here.)
USAR, EL, Rocket Lab and more
