Microsoft and Google's parent company, Alphabet, had impressive quarterly results. Their cloud businesses drove growth, and they beat financial expectations. Alphabet announced a dividend payout, aligning with Meta. While AI will be discussed in their earnings calls, major announcements are expected at upcoming conferences, showcasing AI's potential in their ecosystems and platforms.
Tuesday's stock market saw big gains, with General Motors and Tesla stocks rising sharply due to strong earnings. Despite a revenue dip from JetBlue, optimism remains high, as tech giants like Microsoft and Alphabet are set to release their financial updates this week. Kevin Man of Henyan and Walsh Asset Management suggests watching big tech stocks, especially Nvidia, for signals on the overall market direction. Music streaming also saw a boost, with Spotify's stock jumping after reporting a significant profit milestone.
Political tensions between Iran and Israel are pushing up oil prices, outweighing the impact of supply and demand. An escalation of the conflict could severely disrupt oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, driving prices even higher. Gold prices may fluctuate in the short term but continue to be supported by geopolitical uncertainties.
Earnings reports from major banks have raised concerns about the economy. The Federal Reserve's interest rate path is uncertain, with varying probabilities of rate cuts. Experts predict that the market may enter a holding pattern if rates remain unchanged. Tech giants, notably Microsoft and Amazon, are expected to perform well due to their diverse operations. Interestingly, retail investors are showing an increased interest in individual stocks, with General Electric emerging as a popular choice due to its improved performance after separating its financial operations.
The stock market had a mixed day yesterday, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ falling slightly after a strong rise the day before. However, major indexes like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones ended the day higher. The performance of oil and gas stocks hinted at a potential economic improvement. Microsoft and Freeport Macaran showed technical strength, while Coupang continued its positive momentum. Overall, the market trend remains positive, but high sentiment suggests a possible pullback.
