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As far as economic reports go, the good news just keeps on coming. Seemingly running on a separate track from investor fears about AI’s future role in the economy, today’s latest inflation read came in as well as anyone has the right to expect. Pre-market futures had been wallowing in negative territory ahead of this print, but are now pushing toward breakeven at this hour.
January CPI Favorable: Yearly Core Lowest in 5 Years
This morning’s delayed Consumer Price Index (CPI) report has checked all the boxes bullish investors like to see, starting with the headline +0.2% month over month — down from the +0.3% reported as month ago and estimated for January, and the lowest since July (there were no October or November 2025 reports due to the government shutdown). Subtracting volatile food and energy prices, this bumped up 10 basis points (bps) month over month to +0.3%.
Headline CPI year over year is also known as the Inflation Rate, and this dropped 30 bps month over month to +2.4% — the lowest we’ve seen since May of last year and 60 bps down from where we were last September. Shelter and food moderated to +0.2% while energy prices fell -1.5%. Core CPI year over year came in at +2.5% — down 10 bps month over month and the lightest print since March of 2021.
The metrics can again be traced to cheaper energy prices, especially gasoline, which dropped -7.5% last month. Used cars and trucks fell -2%. Perhaps most impressively, this core CPI Inflation Rate has melted down 80 bps from the +3.3% we saw one year ago. This looks to have been a flawless report, suitable for framing. For sure they don’t all come in like this.
Q4 Earnings Reports at a Glance: WEN, AAP, MRNA
A few notable Q4 earnings reports hit the tape this morning, in what has been the busiest week of earnings season so far, based on volume. Most marquee names not named NVIDIANVDA have already reported, but we will continue the cavalcade through next week, as well.
Wendy’s WEN outperformed expectations on both top and bottom lines, with earnings of 16 cents per share bettering the Zacks consensus by 2 cents. Revenues of $542.97 million in the quarter improved over estimates by +0.28%, but are notably down year over year. The “Ozempic consumer” has spoken. Shares continue to tumble another 4% in early trading, to nearly 13-year lows. For more on WEN’s earnings, click here.
Advance Auto PartsAAP, on the other hand, posted a huge +110% positive earnings surprise in its Q4 report this morning: 86 cents per share versus estimates of 41 cents. Revenues came in ahead of expectations by +0.97% to $1.97 billion, and shares continue to climb in today’s pre-market on the news. For more on AAP’s earnings, click here.
Biotech vax developer ModernaMRNA posted a better-than-expected loss per share of -$2.11 (versus -$2.60 in the Zacks consensus) on $678 million in quarterly revenues, +2.8% higher than anticipated — though still way down from the $966 million in the year-ago quarter. But shares are climbing another +1.7% at this hour, adding to its +36% gains year to date. For more on MRNA’s earnings, click here.
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Decent loan demand, stabilizing funding costs and efforts to grow fee income will likely aid BankUnited's top line. Given earnings strength, its capital distribution activities look sustainable.
Robust loans and deposit balances, along with business expansion initiatives will likely support Hancock Whitney’s growth. Its enhanced capital distributions reflect a solid liquidity position.
MettlerToledo International (MTD)Upgraded: 02/07/26
Mettler-Toledo’s leading market position, focus on product development and cost reduction, sales and marketing efforts and the Blue Ocean program bode well.
ATI should benefit from the strength in its HPMC unit driven by the aerospace and defense sectors. The HRPF facility and efforts to improve operational efficiency will also contribute to its performance.
Competition, increased claims and expenses, exposure to catastrophe losses as well as higher debt level are some of the headwinds faced by the company over the near term.
Brighthouse Financial's increasing expenses weighing on margin expansion, high debt level leading to higher leverage coupled with lower interest coverage keeps us on the sideline.
Upbound Group’s Rent-A-Center segment, which accounts for a significant portion of its revenues, is facing structural challenges that could limit future profitability.
Intensifying competition is likely to make Atlassian resort to competitive pricing in an effort to maintain and gain further market share. A decelerating customer growth rate, softened IT spending and integration risks are other concerns.
FMC is exposed to headwinds from weak pricing and higher costs. The India business exit may also impact the company’s performance. Its high debt level is another concern.
American Eagle remains well placed on the back of cost-reduction efforts and brand progress. In addition, its Powering Profitable Growth plan bodes well.
Kroger drives growth with digital expansion, private label success, fresh offerings and strategic partnerships, while investments in AI and value creation fuel long-term scalability.
Target’s accelerating digital ecosystem, marketplace expansion, shrink improvement, and high-margin non-merchandise streams, supported by advanced tech and AI, enhance profitability and omnichannel scale.
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