Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Investors Look to Earnings Season to Support Stock Market Gains
Stocks had a mixed week, even though worries about high oil prices and rising bond yields remain.
The Nasdaq went up a little, while the S&P 500 and Dow went down.
A jobs report showing slower wage growth helped calm some fears about inflation and interest rates.
Investors also hope that companies will report strong profits.
Micron's recent results suggested that companies are still spending heavily on artificial intelligence.
Upcoming reports from several companies may show whether people are still spending despite higher costs.
Analysts expect S&P 500 profits to grow strongly in the fourth quarter.
Investors are also watching large technology companies, whose shares are valued less highly than they were earlier this year.
The Nasdaq rose 0.5% for the week, while the S&P 500 fell 0.2% and the Dow dropped 1.3%.
A weaker-than-expected September jobs report and slower wage growth eased some investor concerns about inflation and interest rates.
Investors are looking to third-quarter results from Constellation Brands, Levi Strauss, PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines for clues about consumer spending.
Micron Technology's recent results and guidance offered a positive sign for continued strong spending on artificial intelligence.
S&P 500 earnings are forecast to rise more than 25% in the fourth quarter; investors are also watching Big Tech, whose valuations have fallen from earlier in the year.
- Who
- Investors and companies reporting third-quarter results, including Constellation Brands, Levi Strauss, PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines.
- What
- Investors are looking to corporate earnings and guidance for evidence that stock-market gains can continue.
- When
- The week described in the article, with company reports due in the coming week.
- Where
- U.S. stock markets.
- Why
- Investors want to assess profit growth and consumer spending amid high oil prices, rising bond yields and interest-rate uncertainty.
- Weekly Nasdaq performance
- Up 0.5%
- Weekly S&P 500 performance
- Down 0.2%
- Weekly Dow performance
- Down 1.3%
- Companies reporting in the coming week
- Constellation Brands, Levi Strauss, PepsiCo and Delta Air Lines
- S&P 500 fourth-quarter earnings forecast
- Expected to rise more than 25%
- Magnificent Seven fund valuation
- The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF trades at 25 times forecast earnings for the next 12 months, down from 32 times at the start of the year.