Description : Stock futures dip as Target sinks, Lowe’s climbs with $8.8B deal, La-Z-Boy plunges, and Fed minutes steer Wall Street sentiment.
U.S. Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Fed Minutes
The U.S. stock market is pointing to a cautious open today, with U.S. stock futures slightly lower as investors weigh retail earnings and await the release of the Federal Reserve’s FOMC minutes.
Nasdaq futures are down 0.2% after the tech-heavy index tumbled 1.5% in the last session.
S&P 500 futures are off 0.1% after Tuesday’s decline.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are also weaker after briefly hitting an all-time high yesterday.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is trading near $114,000, gold futures and oil futures are moving higher, while the 10-year Treasury yield holds steady.
Target Stock Slides on CEO Change and Slumping Sales
Target stock (TGT) is under heavy pressure in premarket trading, falling nearly 10%. The retailer reported a 0.9% decline in net sales to $25.21 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.05, in line with Wall Street estimates.
Amid the weak results, Target announced a major leadership transition. Michael Fiddelke, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and a 20-year veteran, will become the new CEO of Target on February 1, 2026. Current CEO Brian Cornell will step into the role of executive chair.
This shift comes as consumer spending slows, hitting major retailers and forcing Target to adjust its strategy in a highly competitive market.
Lowe’s Stock Rises With Strong Earnings and $8.8B Acquisition
In contrast to Target, Lowe’s stock (LOW) is gaining more than 3% in premarket trading after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings and raising its full-year sales outlook.
Earnings per share (EPS): $4.33, beating estimates of $4.24.
Revenue: $23.96 billion, with comparable sales up 1.1%.
Lowe’s also announced a game-changing deal—the $8.8 billion acquisition of Foundation Building Materials, expanding its footprint in the home improvement sector. This move strengthens Lowe’s against rivals like Home Depot (HD) and signals long-term growth in the construction and renovation market.
Federal Reserve FOMC Minutes in Focus
Beyond retail news, markets are watching the Federal Reserve (Fed) closely. Later today, the Fed will release the FOMC meeting minutes from July, offering insights into the central bank’s debate over interest rates, inflation, and economic growth.
Although the Fed left rates unchanged at the July meeting, two committee members voted for cuts. With Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech set for later this week, the minutes will help shape investor expectations for the future of U.S. monetary policy.
La-Z-Boy Stock Plunges on Weak Earnings
The biggest loser in retail today is La-Z-Boy stock (LZB), which is down nearly 25% in premarket trading. The furniture retailer reported weak results as demand in the furniture market continues to fade.
Adjusted EPS came in at $0.47, below the $0.53 forecast.
Revenue guidance for the current quarter was cut to $510 million–$530 million, shy of analyst expectations.
The disappointing performance reflects a slowdown in the furniture sector and broader consumer spending trends, as higher borrowing costs and inflation weigh on household budgets.
Final Outlook for Wall Street Today
The stock market outlook for August 20, 2025, is mixed. Target’s struggles and La-Z-Boy’s plunge show cracks in retail, while Lowe’s earnings beat and acquisition highlight strength in the home improvement market. Meanwhile, investors are keeping a close eye on the Federal Reserve’s FOMC minutes and Jerome Powell’s upcoming Jackson Hole speech, both of which could set the next direction for the U.S. stock market, Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones.