Day Trade Cheat Sheet - March 03, 2026 (Morning)

 ## MARKET MOOD: RISK-OFF Markets are retreating amid escalating Middle East tensions, with oil prices surging and geopolitical risks weighing heavily on sentiment. The energy sector is outperforming, but broad indices and tech stocks are under pressure as traders brace for inflation and growth concerns. ## TOP 5 HEADLINES 1. Oil prices surge to highest in a year as fears of Middle East supply crunch grow → Impact: Energy stocks rally, inflation concerns rise. 2. Nasdaq futures plunge as market takes Iran war more seriously → Impact: Tech sector faces selling pressure, broader risk-off sentiment. 3. Pinterest shares pop 8% as activist Elliott Management takes $1 billion stake → Impact: Bullish catalyst for **$PINS** amid activist involvement. 4. MongoDB stock sinks after earnings, signaling more tough times for the software sector → Impact: Software stocks under pressure, tech weakness extends. 5. Morgan Stanley reiterates Overweight on Target stock, $125 target → Impact: Positive outlook for **$TGT** despite recent sales declines. ## PRE-MARKET MOVERS ### Longs (Bullish Catalysts) **$PINS** - Elliott Management invests $1B and announces $3.5B share repurchase program **$DAVE** - Shares up 11.7% post-earnings beat **$AMRC** - Q4 earnings call positive, shares +3.4% **$ASTS** - Strong Q4 results, shares +7.4% **$BCO** - M&A call boosts shares +7.8% **$PLUG** - Shares surge +14% on Q4 earnings and outlook ### Shorts (Bearish Catalysts) **$MDB** - Shares plunge 28.4% after Q4 earnings miss and weak guidance **$AMAT** - Shares down 4.4% post-earnings, tech weakness persists **$ABNB** - Shares down 3.8% amid sector rotation and geopolitical concerns **$CRDO** - Shares down 9.1% after earnings miss **$BLTE** - Shares down 8.0% on earnings disappointment **$STNE** - Shares down 7.7% despite analyst coverage, cautious outlook ## INDEX BIAS **SPY:** BEARISH - Down 1.69% as geopolitical risks and inflation fears weigh on broad market. **QQQ:** BEARISH - Down 2.02%, tech sector hit hardest by risk-off and earnings misses. **IWM:** BEARISH - Down 1.66%, small caps vulnerable amid risk aversion and global uncertainty. ## SECTORS **Favor:** Energy - Surging oil prices (+13.65%) and supply concerns drive strong sector performance. **Avoid:** Technology - Earnings misses and risk-off sentiment pressure tech stocks and ETFs. ## CATALYST WATCH Events today that could move markets: - 08:30 AM EST: US ISM Manufacturing PMI (expectations for continued expansion) - 10:00 AM EST: Factory Orders data release - Earnings: **$AZO**, **$BBY**, **$TGT** to report with market focus on retail margins and guidance ## BOTTOM LINE **Today's Play:** Selective Heightened geopolitical tensions and surging oil prices are driving a risk-off environment, pressuring tech and broad market indices. Energy stocks offer relative strength and potential trading opportunities. Watch retail names like **$TGT** and **$BBY** for earnings-driven moves amid mixed sector sentiment. The biggest risk remains escalating conflict fueling inflation and market volatility. Traders should be selective, focusing on clear catalysts and defensive sectors.