5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

Stock futures are gaining ground Monday morning at the start of a week filled with economic data and earnings reports; the price of gold is approaching the record highs the precious metal last reached in mid-October; iRobot shares are sinking after the maker of the Roomba robot vacuum said over the weekend that it plans to file for bankruptcy; Sanofi shares are also falling amid disappointing updates for one of its developmental drugs; and workplace software maker ServiceNow is reported to be in talks to acquire a cybersecurity startup for up to $7 billion. Here's what you need to know today.

Stock Futures Rise Ahead of Busy Week of Economic Data, Earnings

Stock futures are pointing to a higher open after the major indexes closed out last week with steep losses amid concerns about an AI bubble. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500, each of which hit record highs last week, were up 0.5% recently, while futures linked to the tech-focused Nasdaq added 0.6%. Investors will get new data on the job market and inflation this week, and hear from several Federal Reserve members following last week's interest rate cut. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which affects rates on all sorts of consumer loans, was at 4.16% this morning, after closing last week at 4.20%, near its highest level in three months. Bitcoin was at $89,700, up from a weekend low of $87,600.

Gold Approaching All-Time High Set in October

The rally that has carried the price of gold to a series of record highs this year looks like it could have new momentum. Gold has recovered from a stumble that took place in the days immediately after it set a record high in mid-October of just below $4,400. Gold and other precious metals have set a number of records this year as tariffs and trade tension, volatility in the stock market, and the government shutdown created uncertainty that pushed investors into assets perceived as safe havens. Gold futures were up 1.2% at $4,380 an ounce in recent trading. The price of gold has gained about 65% since the start of the year.

iRobot Stock Plummets on Bankruptcy Filing

Shares of iRobot (IRBT) are plummeting after the Roomba robot vacuum maker on Sunday announced plans to file for bankruptcy. The company said that one of its lenders and its primary contract manufacturer, a Chinese robotics firm called Picea, will acquire 100% of its equity through the Chapter 11 process, with iRobot set to continue operating as a private company under Picea. Current Roomba users shouldn't be affected, as iRobot said there is "no anticipated disruption to its app functionality, customer programs, global partners, supply chain relationships, or ongoing product support." The stock is down about 70% ahead of the opening bell, trading at around $1.30. Shares had lost about 45% of their value this year through Friday's close.

Sanofi Shares Fall on Latest Drug Trial, Regulatory News

Sanofi (SNY) shares are losing ground Monday after the French drugmaker gave a pair of disappointing updates for one of its drugs in development. Sanofi said Monday that tolebrutinib, a drug being developed to treat multiple sclerosis, did not meet its primary goal of slowing disease progression in a Phase 3 clinical trial for those with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, a specific form of the disease that affects about 10% of MS patients. Along with the clinical trial update, Sanofi said that a Food and Drug Administration review of tolebrutinib will not be completed by the end of this year as the company previously anticipated, and now says it should end in the first quarter of 2026. Sanofi's U.S.-listed shares, which through Friday's close were up less than 1% since the start of the year, were down nearly 2% Monday morning.

ServiceNow in Talks to Buy Cybersecurity Startup for $7 Billion, Report Says

ServiceNow (NOW) is in talks to potentially acquire Armis, a cybersecurity startup, for up to $7 billion, Bloomberg reported over the weekend. Earlier this year, Armis executives said they still planned to go public in 2026, and said they were considering six or seven offers for a new investor to acquire a stake in the company, per Bloomberg. The report said that a deal between ServiceNow and Armis could be announced in the coming days, but noted that another bidder could enter the running or the talks could fall apart. Shares of ServiceNow, a maker of workplace automation software, were down 5% in recent premarket trading. Through Friday's close, the stock had lost nearly one-fifth of its value in 2025.

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