U.S. equity futures on Friday signaled a second day of gains on Wall Street, a day after a rally rebound ended a three-game losing streak. On Thursday, the Nasdaq climbed nearly 1.8%, pushing the high-tech index into positive territory for the week. (CNBC)

Prior to Friday’s session, the Dow Jones and S&P 500 were even lower for the week, despite Thursday’s advances of over 0.5% and 1%, respectively. Tesla, chip stocks and other speculative names, which had big hits in the previous session, rebounded Thursday with the recovery in bitcoin prices. (CNBC)

Bitcoin traded above $ 40,000 on Friday as the rebound of the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value stabilized after Wednesday’s collapse to more than three months near $ 30,000. Keeping a Cover on Gains Was Concerned Over U.S. Calls for Tighter Cryptocurrency Compliance with IRS (CNBC)

On today’s economic calendar, the National Association of Realtors comes out with existing home sales in April at 10 a.m. ET. Economists expect an increase of 0.2% to an annual rate of 6.02 million units. Sales of existing homes fell 3.7% in March. (CNBC)

Oatly (OTLY) rose 5.9% in pre-market after the oatmilk maker’s first session on Wall Street on Thursday. Oatly’s IPO was priced at $ 17 per share, with the first trade at $ 22.12 and a Thursday closing price of $ 20.20 for a nearly 19% lead on day one. (CNBC)

The Biden administration is proposing an overall minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. However, the Treasury said Thursday that the final rate could go even higher, calling 15% a “floor and that discussions should continue to be ambitious and push this rate higher.” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said setting an overall minimum rate would help end the global “race to the bottom” for tax rates. (CNBC)

Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to take the witness stand on Friday to defend the company’s app store against charges that it has become an illegal monopoly. Fortnite maker Epic Games says Apple’s App Store has turned into a vehicle that drives prices up, reaping 15% to 30% commissions on in-app transactions and preventing apps from offering other payment alternatives. (AP)

Tesla (TSLA) has raised the prices of its Model 3 and Model Y for the fifth time in recent months, according to the EV Electrek news site. The Model 3 Standard Range Plus and Model 3 Long Range AWD both increased by $ 500, now starting at $ 39,490 and $ 48,490, respectively. The long-range, all-wheel-drive Model Y also rose $ 500, starting at $ 51,490.

Carnival (CCL) has said its flagship brand, as well as its Holland America line, will resume Alaska cruises in July. Princess Cruises made a similar announcement, after new legislation passed through the House and Senate. The legislation temporarily waives the rule that required Alaska cruises to stop in Canada. Carnival shares were up 1.6% pre-release. (CNBC)

Dr Anthony Fauci said middle and high schools could be completely maskless in the fall. “If the kids get vaccinated, conceivably that ends up being a recommendation. We’ll just have to wait and see,” the White House chief medical adviser said. (CNBC)

* New CDC Mask Guidelines May Actually Raise Workplace Covid Risk, Scientists Say (CNBC)

Moderna’s Covid vaccine (ARNM) has been officially approved by regulators in Japan and South Korea. Japan has also approved the Covid vaccine produced by AstraZeneca (AZN) and the University of Oxford. Moderna grew 1.5% on pre-release. (Reuters)

Ross Stores (ROST) reported first quarter earnings of $ 1.34 per share, up from a consensus estimate of 88 cents per share. The discount retailer’s revenue was well above forecast. Results were boosted by stimulus payments to consumers and an overall improvement in the economic environment. Ross also announced a new $ 1.5 billion share buyback program. The stock added 1.4% in pre-market trading.

Shares of Foot Locker (FL) were up 3.3% in the pre-market market after the shoe and clothing retailer reported quarterly earnings of $ 1.96 per share. This was well above the consensus estimate of $ 1.09 per share, with revenue also exceeding expectations and same-store sales increasing 80.3% better than expected.

VF Corp (VFC), the company behind clothing brands like North Face, Timberland and Vans, posted a mixed quarter, beating revenue estimates but posting earnings per share below expectations. VF said the majority of its supply chain is up and running, although it has seen isolated product delays. VF shares fell 6% pre-market.

Deckers Outdoor (DECK) – Deckers gained $ 1.18 per share for its fiscal fourth quarter, well above the consensus estimate of 64 cents per share. The shoe and clothing maker – which counts UGG and Teva among its brands – also reported better-than-expected earnings, but posted a mixed outlook. Deckers rallied 6% on pre-market.

Buckle (BKE) stock jumped 7.9% in the pre-market after reporting better-than-expected earnings and earnings for its final quarter. The accessories retailer earned $ 1.16 per share, compared to a consensus estimate of 43 cents per share, helped by the reopening of its stores.

Deere (DE) rose 1.1% in pre-market trading after beating upper and lower earnings estimates and raising its forecast for the full year. Deere earned $ 5.68 per share for its second fiscal quarter, compared to a consensus estimate of $ 4.52 per share. Incomes also exceeded estimates, as the recovery in the global economy boosted demand for agricultural and construction equipment.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW) reported quarterly earnings of $ 1.38 per share, beating estimates by 10 cents per share. The cybersecurity company’s revenue also exceeded Wall Street forecasts. Palo Alto raised its forecast for the full year against the backdrop of increasing remote work safety issues and challenges. Palo Alto shares jumped 5.7% in pre-market on Friday.

Applied Materials (AMAT) came in at 12 cents per share above estimates, with quarterly earnings of $ 1.63 per share. The semiconductor manufacturing equipment maker also posted better-than-expected revenues. Applied Materials also gave optimistic forecasts for the full year, as chipmakers attempt to ramp up production amid a global chip shortage. Applied Materials added 1.1% on pre-release.

Kansas City Southern (KSU) is expected to officially end its merger deal with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) today, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to the Wall Street Journal. Kansas City Southern will instead accept a competing offer from the Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) after Canadian Pacific declined to increase its initial bid.