Stock futures are critical indicators of pre-market performance, telling us how indices might move once trading begins. Nasdaq futures rose 0.4% this morning after better-than-expected chipmaker revenue reports, hinting that tech stocks could lead gains. This aligns with analysts' projections of Q3 sector expansion. Smith-Midland doesn't pay any regular dividends, meaning that all of its profits are being reinvested in the business, which explains the fair bit of earnings growth the company has seen. "The backdrop to this shutdown is much different than the 2018 shutdown, which was the longest on record," said Jay Woods, chief market strategist for Freedom Capital Markets. Understanding "what are stock futures" helps in identifying market trends early. Nasdaq futures edged up after new regulatory approvals for biotech innovations, a move likely to trigger sector-wide rallies according to trend momentum charts.