BEFORE THE OPEN · October 28, 2026
October 28, 2026 premarket: Vertiv and Flex raise outlooks; Robinhood profit slips
Vertiv and Flex climbed before open after stronger results and raised outlooks. Robinhood fell as weaker crypto revenue weighed on profit, with the Federal Reserve decision still ahead.
| Stock | Premarket move | Price | Quote time · ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT) | +16.81% | $243.62 | |
| Flex Ltd. (FLEX) | +8.71% | $90.61 | |
| Masco Corporation (MAS) | +6.44% | $80.00 | |
| GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (GEHC) | +6.17% | $75.50 | |
| PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) | +5.12% | $119.17 | |
| NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI) | -8.46% | $232.06 | |
| Smurfit Westrock plc (SW) | -8.32% | $39.00 | |
| Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) | -7.72% | $87.26 | |
| CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP) | -6.94% | $29.79 | |
| F5, Inc. (FFIV) | -6.42% | $429.88 |
1) Outlook upgrades put data-center suppliers in focus
Vertiv’s third-quarter sales reached $4.31 billion, up 61%, and its adjusted operating margin rose to 25.2% from 22.3%. The power and cooling supplier raised its full-year sales forecast midpoint by $650 million to $14.65 billion. Stronger orders support the growth story; converting those orders into profitable deliveries remains the next test. Flex reported $8.5 billion in sales for its second quarter of fiscal 2027, up 25%. Adjusted profit per share reached $1.18, versus $0.79 a year earlier. Its raised annual forecast includes recent acquisitions but excludes the planned separation of its Cloud and Power Infrastructure business. Investors therefore need to watch both operating growth and the terms of that separation.
2) Healthcare and coatings raise their earnings targets
GE HealthCare’s third-quarter sales rose 7.2% to $5.51 billion. It increased its full-year adjusted profit-per-share forecast to $4.95–$5.05 from $4.80–$5.00. The upgrade matters because stronger sales now come with a higher annual earnings target. PPG raised the midpoint of its full-year adjusted profit-per-share outlook, with a new range of $7.90–$8.10. Pricing and productivity helped offset inflation, though its industrial coatings business still faced pressure. The next question is whether price increases can keep protecting profit as costs change.
3) Revenue growth does not guarantee a higher share price
Robinhood’s third-quarter revenue rose 12% to $1.42 billion, but reported profit per share fell 16% to $0.51. Crypto transaction revenue dropped 55% while operating expenses rose 16%. This is a useful reminder to check which businesses generate growth and how much of that revenue becomes profit. F5’s fiscal fourth-quarter revenue rose 13% to $917 million, while adjusted operating margin fell to 33.7% from 37.0%. Its lower share price comes alongside a clear profitability question: can the company restore margin as sales grow? NXP reported third-quarter sales of $3.79 billion and forecast fourth-quarter sales of $3.75 billion–$3.95 billion. CoStar raised its full-year revenue outlook to $3.75 billion–$3.77 billion. Their declines show that a strong past quarter alone does not settle what investors will pay for future earnings.
4) Premarket prices
October 28, 2026 · Before open · Change since the October 27 regular close Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT): $243.62, +16.81% Flex Ltd. (FLEX): $90.61, +8.71% Masco Corporation (MAS): $80.00, +6.44% GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (GEHC): $75.50, +6.17% PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG): $119.17, +5.12% NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI): $232.06, -8.46% Smurfit Westrock plc (SW): $39.00, -8.32% Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD): $87.26, -7.72% CoStar Group, Inc. (CSGP): $29.79, -6.94% F5, Inc. (FFIV): $429.88, -6.42%
5) The next decisions to watch
The Federal Reserve’s October 27–28 meeting concludes during trading. Its policy decision and comments on the outlook can change borrowing-cost expectations across the market. Microsoft and Alphabet are expected to report after close on October 28. Watch how cloud demand and AI spending translate into revenue, profit and cash flow. Before-open moves can change quickly as trading becomes more active.