Key Takeaways
- Verizon (VZ) surged +5.0% in pre-market trading, following a strong Q2 2025 earnings beat with total revenue up 5.2% to $34.5 billion and a raised full-year adjusted EPS growth outlook.
- Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD.TO) reinitiated a substantial $4.2 billion (US) share repurchase program, authorized by the TSX to buy back up to 77,115,921 common shares by July 2026.
- Domino's Pizza (DPZ) and Roper Technologies (ROP) posted positive pre-market gains of +2.8% and +1.7% respectively, driven by strong Q2 2025 results that exceeded expectations.
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is pursuing its first U.S. FDA approval for the drug Icotrokinra, a first-in-class investigational oral peptide for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
- Broader U.S. pre-market indices showed positive momentum, with the E-mini S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq 100 (+0.2%), and Russell 2000 (+0.7%) all trading higher.
U.S. equity futures are showing upward momentum in pre-market trading today, fueled by a series of strong corporate earnings reports and significant strategic announcements. Major companies like Verizon (VZ), Domino's Pizza (DPZ), and Roper Technologies (ROP) are contributing to the positive sentiment with their robust second-quarter results.
Telecommunications giant Verizon (VZ) saw its shares climb +5.0% in pre-market trading after reporting a strong second quarter for 2025. The company announced total revenue of $34.5 billion, marking a 5.2% year-over-year increase, and reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.22, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.19. This strong performance led Verizon to raise its full-year adjusted EPS growth outlook, signaling confidence in its continued momentum.
In corporate capital allocation news, Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD.TO) has reinitiated a substantial share repurchase program. The convenience store operator is authorized by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) to buy back up to 77,115,921 common shares, representing 10% of its public float. This program, valued at approximately $4.2 billion (US), is set to run through July 2026, underscoring the company's commitment to shareholder returns and its strong financial health.
The restaurant and technology sectors also delivered positive news. Domino's Pizza (DPZ) gained +2.8% in pre-market trading following strong second-quarter results. The company reported a 3.4% increase in U.S. same-store sales and a 2.4% rise in international same-store sales, contributing to a global retail sales growth of 5.6%. Income from operations for the quarter increased by 14.8%.
Roper Technologies (ROP) saw its shares rise +1.7% after reporting a 13% increase in revenue for Q2 2025, reaching $1.94 billion. The company also announced a 12% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $775 million and raised its full-year guidance for adjusted diluted earnings per share to between $19.90 and $20.05. Additionally, Roper signed an agreement to acquire Subsplash, a provider of AI-enabled software solutions, for $800 million.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Icotrokinra. This first-in-class investigational targeted oral peptide aims to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and adolescents, following successful Phase 3 studies that met all primary and co-primary endpoints.
Broader market sentiment remains positive, with the E-mini S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq 100 (+0.2%), and Russell 2000 (+0.7%) all indicating a higher open. Meanwhile, Company XYZ is set to replace HES in the S&P 500, and Company TRI will replace ANSYS in the Nasdaq 100, reflecting ongoing index adjustments.
In other global developments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the interception of a UAV launched from the east. Separately, Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad stated that formal communication with the U.S. is being maintained amid ongoing tariff negotiations, though an agreement might not be finalized before an August 1 deadline for new tariffs.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.