Wall Street kicked off the day with some notable action as several stocks made significant moves before the opening bell. On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, traders zeroed in on names like Cava, CoreWeave, Brinker, and Hanesbrands, with each drawing attention for different reasons. The premarket session, always a pulse check for market sentiment, saw these companies lead the pack, setting the tone for what could be a busy day ahead. Early reports highlighted a mix of earnings surprises and corporate developments fueling the shifts.
Cava grabbed the spotlight with a sharp drop. The fast-casual restaurant chain saw its shares plunge 23.6% after releasing second-quarter numbers. Revenue landed at $280.6 million, falling short of the $285.6 million analysts had forecasted via LSEG. The miss wasn’t the only blow same-store sales also lagged, and the company trimmed its outlook for the year. That said, there was a silver lining: Cava posted earnings of 16 cents per share, topping the expected 13 cents. For now, investors are weighing the good against the bad as trading gets underway.
CoreWeave, an AI infrastructure player, also stirred the pot. Despite beating revenue expectations for the second quarter, its stock slipped about 9% in premarket trading. CFO Nitin Agrawal, speaking during an earnings call, pointed to a bottleneck demand for their services is outpacing supply, limiting growth. In turn, that constraint seems to have spooked some buyers, even with the solid topline performance. The market’s reaction shows how tricky it can be to balance hype with reality in the AI sector.
Brinker International brought some cheer. The parent company of Chili’s jumped 8.8% after delivering a stronger than expected fourth-quarter result. Earnings came in at $2.49 per share, excluding certain items, beating the LSEG consensus of $2.45 per share. Revenue hit $1.43 billion, topping the anticipated $1.39 billion. That performance has traders optimistic as the company opens for the day.
Hanesbrands, meanwhile, took a hit. The clothing maker’s stock fell 7.5% after a wild 28% surge the previous day. The drop followed news of a $4.4 billion takeover deal with Canada’s Gildan Activewear, first reported by the Financial Times. The swing reflects the market digesting the merger’s implications, with premarket action showing some hesitation.
Here’s the breakdown of the morning’s movers:
- Cava: Down 23.6% after missing revenue and sales targets.
- CoreWeave: Off 9% despite strong revenue, citing supply constraints.
- Brinker: Up 8.8% on better than expected quarterly earnings.
- Hanesbrands: Down 7.5% after a takeover deal announcement.
The premarket session also saw other names in play. V2X, a defense stock, climbed 5.2% after Bank of America upgraded it to a buy from neutral, citing sustainable growth ahead. Palo Alto Networks rose 1.7% following a Deutsche Bank upgrade to buy, praising its core business. SailPoint rallied 7% with a JPMorgan lift to overweight, suggesting a dip-buying opportunity. On the downside, KinderCare Learning Companies tanked nearly 20% after disappointing second-quarter results, missing earnings of 22 cents per share and $700.1 million in revenue against forecasts of 26 cents and $705.7 million.
These moves come as markets digest a range of corporate updates. Cava’s stumble contrasts with Brinker’s gain, while CoreWeave’s AI focus mirrors broader industry trends. Hanesbrands’ deal adds a merger angle to the mix. At the same time, the upgrades for V2X, Palo Alto, and SailPoint show analyst confidence in specific sectors. For now, the premarket buzz sets up an intriguing day, with traders likely to keep a close eye on how these stocks hold up once the full market opens.
The story doesn’t end here. Other companies could join the action as earnings season rolls on. The premarket shifts often hint at bigger trends, and today’s lineup suggests a day of volatility. In turn, investors are bracing for more news to shape the narrative. This roundup pulls from early trading reports, a trusted source for such snapshots. As the hours tick by, the market’s direction will become clearer, but the morning’s moves have already set a lively pace.
