Top stocks to watch on Friday 🔥

Stocks rallied back on Thursday after spinning their wheels for the previous two sessions. The Russ2K and Dow outperformed.

Dow [+0.8%]
S&P 500 [+0.5%]
Nasdaq [+0.2%]
Russell 2K [+0.9%]

Futures are currently showing thin gains, with S&P 500 contracts up by 0.3% in early trading.

It’s been a choppy week for the market so far, but the weekend will give the market a chance to recalibrate. There aren’t any particularly noteworthy names on today’s earnings forecast, and the economic calendar is quiet as well. Today’s performance could be an indication of where investor sentiment is sitting as we prepare to cap off the trading week.

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🤖 OpenAI to Unveil AI-Powered Search Product
OpenAI is gearing up to announce its artificial intelligence-driven search offering, intensifying competition in the search domain dominated by Google. While subject to potential changes, sources indicate Monday as the tentative announcement date, marking a significant move in the rivalry between the two tech giants.

Flagship Product 🤖
The upcoming search product is an extension of OpenAI's ChatGPT, leveraging advanced AI capabilities to extract direct information from the web, complete with citations. ChatGPT, renowned for its human-like text generation, has been positioned as an alternative for online information gathering.

Challenges & Competition🏅
Despite its prowess, ChatGPT has encountered hurdles in delivering accurate and real-time web-based information. In response, OpenAI integrated ChatGPT with Microsoft's Bing for paid subscribers. Meanwhile, startup Perplexity, founded by a former OpenAI researcher, has gained traction with its AI-native search interface, boasting features like citation display and image integration.

Outside Pressure 📈
OpenAI faces mounting pressure to broaden its user base amid fluctuating website traffic. While ChatGPT witnessed rapid adoption upon its late 2022 launch, recent trends suggest a need for sustained growth. An earlier endeavor to enhance ChatGPT's real-world information access through plugins was discontinued in April.

Impending Announcement 📢
The timing of OpenAI's announcement, potentially preceding Google's annual I/O conference, hints at strategic maneuvering to capture market attention. As the search landscape evolves with the integration of AI capabilities, industry observers anticipate heightened competition and innovation in the coming months.

Novavax [NVAX] - Last Close: $4.47

This tiny biotech just landed a co-exclusive license agreement with Sanofi [SNY] for its COVID-19 and flu-COVID-19 combo vaccines.

Under the deal, Novavax will receive an upfront payment of $500 million and up to $700 million in milestones, for a total potential value of $1.2 billion.

Starting in 2025, Sanofi sell Novavax’s adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine and will support certain R&D, regulatory, and commercial expenses.

NVAX is up 117.0% on roughly 25 million shares traded.

My Take: NVAX had a short rate of 32.81% as of April 15th, and this catalyst appears to have provoked a short squeeze.

Aethlon Medical [AEMD] - Last Close: $1.18

Positive clinical data from an in vitro binding study of Aethlon Medical’s Hemopurifier® is rallying its shares in the premarket.

The company said its findings support its planned Phase 1 study of the technology in certain patients with solid tumors.

AEMD is up 57.8% on over 2.5 million shares traded in the premarket.

My Take: AEMD has had a rough run, but this news could help it turn its act around and set the stage for future catalysts.

AEye [LIDR] - Last Close: $1.20

AEye is surging after announcing a partnership with automotive electronics and vision solutions provider, LITEON.

The deal will provide AEye with a new customer channel and an industrial partnership with a key OEM player in the automotive industry.

AEye CEO Matt Fish said, “We believe that LITEON is an ideal partner for us,” noting their expertise in providing solutions to the automotive ADAS market.

LIDR is up 50.8% and premarket trading volume is currently sitting around 4.5 million.

My Take: LIDR is coming off a long drawdown, but this news could reignite interest in the stock. It’s facing resistance just under the $2 mark, so keep an eye on that milestone.

Sensus Healthcare [SRTS] - Last Close: $3.81

Census Healthcare is climbing after posting a double-line beat on its Q1 earnings report published in Thursday’s aftermarket.

Sensus reported a surprise profit of $0.14 per share against the consensus estimate for a $(0.06) per share loss.

Revenues of $10.663 million more than doubled the Street’s $4.12 million estimate.

SRTS is up 30.9% on nearly 3 million shares traded.

My Take: SRTS is currently facing resistance at $5 per share, but, it could find new support at this level if it can break through.

Gainers
WiSA [WISA] >> +23.3%
Sweetgreen [SG] >> +21.2%
Natera [NTRA] >> +17.2%

Decliners
MacroGenix [MGNX] >> (67.7%)
Greenwave Tech [GWAV] >> (30.7%)
Progyny [PGNY] >> (25.3%)

DigitalOcean Holdings [DOCN] ... AM
Sylvamo [SLVRN] ... AM
Construction Partners [ROAD] ... AM
DNOW [DNOW] ... AM
Costamare [CMRE] ... AM
Sphere Entertainment [SPHR] ... AM
ANI Pharmaceuticals [ANIP] ... AM
Calumet Specialty Products Partners [CLMT] ... AM
i3 Verticals [IIIV] ... AM
Hawaiian Electric Industries [HE] ... PM

Consumer sentiment (prelim) [May] ... 10:00a
Monthly U.S. federal budget [Apr] ... 2:00p