5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

U.S. stock futures are edging lower after a tech selloff yesterday; investors are preparing for markets to close tomorrow for the funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; Moderna ( MRNA ) shares are rising further after soaring on optimism about its experimental bird-flu vaccine; bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) and crypto-related stocks are falling after labor market data dimmed hopes of Federal Reserve rate cuts; and Palantir Technologies ( PLTR ) shares are falling further after analysts raised worries over the AI-focused software firm's valuation. Here's what investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Point Lower After Tech Selloff

U.S. stock futures are pointing lower after a tech selloff sent indexes lower Tuesday. Nasdaq futures are down 0.4% in early trading after falling 1.9% yesterday, while S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also are down slightly. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note are higher at above 4.7%. Oil futures are higher while gold futures are slightly lower.

2. Stock Markets to Close Thursday for Jimmy Carter's Funeral

Stock markets, as well as federal government agencies, will be closed on Thursday for the national day of mourning for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, while bond markets will close early at 2 p.m. ET. Carter, the 39th president, died Dec. 29 at the age of 100 . As a result of the closures, the weekly initial jobless claims report will be released today , along with the Census Bureau's wholesale inventories report.

3. Moderna Stock Rises Further After Soaring on Optimism Over Bird-Flu Vaccine

Shares of drugmaker Moderna ( MRNA ) are up a further 1.4% in premarket trading after a 12% jump yesterday on optimism that its experimental H5N1 bird-flu vaccine could boost sales after the first U.S. death linked to the disease was reported. In recent years, the drugmaker's sales have contracted amid dwindling demand for its COVID-19 vaccine, with the stock losing half of its value over the past year.

4. Bitcoin Falls as Strong Labor Report Dims Rate-Cut Hopes

Bitcoin ( BTCUSD ) is down about 2% to trade at roughly $95,000 after a strong job openings report yesterday undercut optimism that the Federal Reserve would continue to cut interest rates. The digital currency had moved above $100,000 on Monday for the first time in nearly three weeks, but on Tuesday the cryptocurrency fell from an overnight high of nearly $103,000. Bitcoin buyer MicroStrategy ( MSTR ) shares are down 3% in premarket trading after falling 10% in the prior session. Crypto exchange giant Coinbase Global ( COIN) stock is 2% lower after an 8% slide yesterday, while bitcoin miner Marathon Holdings ( MARA ) is down 3%.