Friday night usually means the market is winding down for a long weekend, but tonight felt a little different. While most of the trading world was eyeing the exit for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, a handful of stocks making biggest moves after hours caught everyone off guard. It wasn't just the usual small-cap noise. We saw heavy hitters and speculative darlings alike shifting the landscape for Tuesday's open.
You’ve got to look at the context. The S&P 500 basically ended the day flat, dipping a tiny $0.06%$. It was a "wait and see" session for the most part. Then the closing bell rang and the real drama started.
The Surprise Satellite Surge
AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS$) has been a bit of a roller coaster for a while now. But honestly, tonight’s jump was something else. The stock surged roughly $14%$ in the post-market, landing at around $115.77$.
What’s the catalyst? The Pentagon.
Specifically, they landed a spot on the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program. Now, if you’re looking for a massive check being cut tomorrow, you’ll be disappointed. This is a contract vehicle. It basically means AST SpaceMobile is now on the "approved list" for the government to issue task orders through 2035. For a company trying to bridge the gap between niche satellite tech and massive government defense projects, this is a huge validation. It shifts the narrative from "can they connect a phone?" to "can they help protect the country?"
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Tech Giants and Legal Tussles
Alphabet ($GOOG$) is dealing with a bit of a headache. The Class C shares slipped nearly $1%$ after hours. Why? It’s the ongoing monopoly lawsuit. Google asked a judge to pause an order that would force them to share data with rivals, including AI competitors like OpenAI.
Investors hate uncertainty. They especially hate when a court tells a company to hand over its secret sauce to the guys across the street. Even with rumors of a YouTube-BBC deal floating around for next week, the legal overhang is keeping a lid on things.
The Big Bank Pivot
JPMorgan Chase ($JPM$) is doing something interesting. They’re leaning hard into private markets. The stock ticked up about $1%$ after hours to $312.47$.
Basically, Wall Street realizes that many high-growth companies are staying private longer. They don't want to miss those advisory fees. Anu Aiyengar, the bank's head of M&A, called this a strategic priority. It’s a smart move. While everyone is worried about credit card interest rate caps—a big topic with the current political climate—JPMorgan is looking for new ways to squeeze out revenue that isn't tied to your monthly plastic balance.
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Biotech’s Massive Breakout
If you were watching $IBRX$ today, you probably need a nap. ImmunityBio didn't just move; it exploded. The stock closed the regular session up almost $40%$ and continued to see intense interest after hours.
The numbers are kinda wild:
- Preliminary 2025 revenue for their drug Anktiva hit $113 million.
- That’s $700%$ year-over-year growth.
- Volume was $1,254%$ above its usual average.
Investors aren't just buying the revenue; they’re buying the validation of the science. It’s a classic example of what happens when a speculative biotech name starts showing real commercial legs.
Retail Leadership and Shifts
Walmart ($WMT$) is usually the steady hand, but they decided to shake the tree tonight. The stock nudged up about $0.7%$ after-hours.
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John Furner, the incoming CEO, just named new leaders for Walmart U.S., International, and Sam’s Club. It’s a "passing of the torch" moment. People are watching to see if this new guard can keep the momentum in digital advertising and delivery going. It’s a lot of pressure. They report earnings again on February 19, so tonight was more about setting the stage than changing the fundamentals.
Why These Moves Actually Matter
After-hours trading is thin. It's volatile. But it's also where the "smart money" often telegraphs its next move before the retail crowd wakes up on Tuesday morning. When we talk about stocks making biggest moves after hours, we aren't just looking at the percentages. We’re looking at why the sentiment shifted.
Is it a government contract like $ASTS$?
Is it a legal setback like $GOOG$?
Or is it a fundamental business pivot like $JPM$?
Actionable Insights for Tuesday’s Open
- Watch the ASTS Volume: If the $14%$ gain holds through the weekend, look for a "gap and go" or a "gap and trap" scenario on Tuesday.
- Google’s Legal Timeline: Keep an eye on the court’s response to the stay request. If the judge says "no," expect more pressure on Alphabet.
- Biotech Pullbacks: Stocks that move $40%$ in a day often see profit-taking. If you're looking at $IBRX$, watch for a support level to form before chasing.
- The Long Weekend Effect: Remember, markets are closed Monday. Global news over the next 72 hours will play a massive role in whether these after-hours gains stick.
Focus on the news that changes the long-term story, not just the price. The Pentagon's involvement with satellite tech is a story change. A leadership shuffle at a retail giant is a story change. That’s where the real money is made.
Check the pre-market quotes early Tuesday morning to see if the momentum from these stocks making biggest moves after hours has survived the long break. Often, the initial weekend reaction is overdone, providing a better entry point once the dust settles. Keep your eyes on the 10-year Treasury yield too—it ticked up to $4.24%$ today, which might put a damper on any growth-heavy rallies when the full market returns.