Check out the companies making headlines before the bell : Warner Bros. Discovery — The HBO and CNN cable network owner rallied more than 4% after Bloomberg News cited people familiar with the matter saying WBD had rejected Paramount Skydance’s proposed buyout of roughly $20 a share, and that the suitor could respond with a higher offer, make a hostile bid or find a partner. Bloom Energy — The energy stock soared 26% after the maker of fuel cell power generators struck a $5 billion partnership with Brookfield Asset Management to install fuel cells in artificial intelligence data centers. Shake Shack — The burger chain added 2% on the back of Jefferies’ upgrade to hold from underperform. Jefferies said the risk-reward ratio is more balanced following a recent slide in shares. Estee Lauder — The maker of Clinique and Origins cosmetics popped 4% after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to buy. The bank also called for 30% upside in Estee Lauder, noting the stock is nearing a fundamental inflection point. Rocket Lab — The rocket company jumped nearly 6% premarket after Morgan Stanley raised its price target to a Street high. The Wall Street firm said the Neutron program’s initial launch is the next major catalyst for the stock. USA Rare Earth — Shares of U.S. rare earth miners surged after President Donald Trump threatened China with retaliation over its strict export controls. USA Rare Earth soared more than 18%, Critical Metals surged 18%, Energy Fuels jumped more than 11%, and MP Materials climbed about 8%. StubHub — The online ticket platform advanced about 5% after bullish initiations of research coverage at several Wall Street following its September 17 initial public offering. Goldman Sachs, which rated StubHub a buy, said the ticket agency will continue to grow as consumers prioritize experiences over products. Sprouts Farmers Market — The specialty grocery chain rose about 2% after RBC Capital raised its investment opinion on the beaten up stock, saying it could rise by 44% from Friday’s close if same-store sales growth outpaces that seen before the Covid pandemic. — CNBC’s Alex Harring, Michelle Fox, Fred Imbert and Scott Schnipper contributed reporting. ( Learn the best 2026 strategies from inside the NYSE with Josh Brown and others at CNBC PRO Live. Tickets and info here . )
