5 Things to Know Before Monday’s Market Open

Stock futures are signaling a positive start to the trading week, with Wall Street poised to rebound from last week’s downturn.

Here are five key developments investors need to monitor as the markets open:

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite experienced their most challenging weeks of 2026 last week, largely driven by ongoing investor apprehension surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict. As the geopolitical situation continues to unfold, the coming weeks will prove critical for the global oil market and, consequently, the broader U.S. economy.

The ramifications extend beyond mere commodity prices. Sustained instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, could trigger supply disruptions and fuel inflationary pressures across various sectors. Energy companies with significant international exposure may face increased operational risks and revenue volatility. Conversely, sectors that benefit from lower energy costs, such as transportation and manufacturing, could see their margins squeezed. Investors are closely watching for any signs of de-escalation or further escalation, which will undoubtedly shape market sentiment and investment strategies.

In a move to resolve the impasse surrounding the partial government shutdown, President Trump signed an executive order over the weekend to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees receive their pay. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that TSA agents are slated to receive their overdue wages as early as today.

While this measure addresses the immediate financial strain on TSA personnel, travelers continue to face disruptions. Beyond the protracted wait times at airport security checkpoints, the ripple effects of rising oil prices, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, are translating into higher airfares. This dynamic presents a double whammy for consumers, impacting both travel convenience and affordability. For the airline industry, this confluence of factors could lead to reduced passenger volumes and necessitate strategic adjustments in pricing models and operational efficiency to mitigate revenue declines.

Meta’s recent legal defeats underscore a critical challenge facing technology giants: the potential for significant legal liability when employing researchers to scrutinize the impact of their products on users. These rulings carry substantial implications for the broader artificial intelligence industry, particularly for companies investing heavily in understanding the societal effects of their rapidly advancing technologies.

The common thread in both Meta cases was the company’s apparent practice of withholding internal research findings that highlighted potential product risks. This disconnect between public messaging and internal data raises concerns about transparency and corporate accountability. For AI developers, the precedent set by Meta’s legal losses necessitates a re-evaluation of their research strategies. The cost-benefit analysis of funding in-depth studies into the societal implications of AI – including its potential for bias, misuse, or unintended consequences – now includes a heightened awareness of potential litigation. Companies must now weigh the imperative to innovate and understand their technology’s impact against the risk of uncovering findings that could expose them to significant legal and reputational damage. This could inadvertently stifle crucial research aimed at ensuring responsible AI development.

Eli Lilly has announced a significant $2.75 billion agreement with Insilico Medicine, a move aimed at accelerating the global market penetration of drugs developed using artificial intelligence. This strategic collaboration, which saw Eli Lilly’s shares advance in pre-market trading, highlights the burgeoning role of AI in pharmaceutical innovation.

Insilico Medicine has pioneered the use of generative AI in drug discovery, with over two dozen AI-developed drugs currently in its pipeline, nearly half of which are in clinical trial stages. This expanded partnership builds upon a prior AI-based software licensing agreement established in 2023. Through this new deal, Insilico will become part of Lilly’s Gateway Labs community, a specialized unit dedicated to advancing biotechnology development. This collaboration signifies a deeper integration of AI into the drug discovery and development lifecycle, promising to streamline research, reduce development timelines, and potentially lower the cost of bringing life-saving therapies to market. The pharmaceutical sector is increasingly recognizing AI not just as a research tool, but as a fundamental driver of competitive advantage.

The astronomical $16 million sale of a Pikachu Illustrator card by influencer Logan Paul earlier this year has significantly heightened investor interest in the rare Pokémon card market. This surge in value is a testament to the considerable liquidity and speculative appetite currently present within this niche asset class.

Data from Card Ladder indicates that the Pokémon card index has dramatically outperformed the S&P 500’s long-term average annual gains during both the pandemic-driven boom and the recent market upswing. This phenomenon is attributed to a growing cohort of affluent buyers willing to invest substantial sums in acquiring a limited supply of highly coveted cards. Consequently, this trend is fueling growth across the broader non-sports trading card market. Circana reports indicate a remarkable 350% increase in spending on these collectibles between 2020 and 2025, signaling a significant shift in consumer spending habits and investment portfolios. This burgeoning market presents both opportunities and risks, with the potential for significant appreciation alongside the inherent volatility of speculative assets.

Investors are gearing up for a holiday-shortened trading week. Here’s what to watch:

• Tuesday: McCormick earnings (pre-market); Beyond Meat and Nike earnings (post-market); February Job Openings & Labor Turnover data.
• Wednesday: March ADP jobs data; February retail sales data.
• Friday: The stock market will be closed in observance of Good Friday; March nonfarm payrolls report.