Stock Market and Big Tech Earnings in the Spotlight This Week
This week is shaping up to be a big one for Wall Street, with the stock market nearing its previous highs before trade issues arose. Investors are looking forward to a wealth of economic reports and earnings from major companies.
Market Bounces Back
Last week the stock market made a strong comeback. The S&P 500 rose by about 4.5%, the Dow Jones increased by 2.5%, and the Nasdaq saw the largest gain at approximately 6.6%. This surge came after President Trump eased concerns over trade disputes and the independence of the Federal Reserve.
On Tuesday, President Trump reassured everyone that he would not fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and mentioned that tariffs on China would be significantly reduced. This news helped the market recover after a tough start to the week.
Looking at the Economy and Jobs
Investors have a lot to watch out for this week:
- The first-quarter GDP report will be released, showing how fast the U.S. economy grew in the early months of the year. It's expected to show only a 0.1% growth rate, which is much slower than before.
- The Federal Reserve's favorite measure of inflation, the core PCE price index, will also come out. It's likely to show a slight decrease compared to previous months.
- On Friday, the April jobs report is expected to reveal that the U.S. added 133,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.2%.
Big Tech Takes the Stage
Several large technology companies will report their earnings this week, which could impact the stock market. These companies include:
- Apple
- Amazon
- Meta (formerly Facebook)
- Microsoft
- Chevron
These earnings reports are crucial as they provide insight into how companies are managing current economic challenges, including tariff changes and competition in technology.
Other Important Data and Earnings
Throughout the week, other significant economic data and company earnings will be announced:
- Monday: Earnings from Domino's Pizza, MGM Resorts, Waste Management, and Welltower.
- Tuesday: Reports from Coca-Cola, JetBlue, Pfizer, and Visa among others.
- Wednesday: Microsoft and Meta will share their earnings.
- Thursday: Look out for results from Apple, Amazon, and McDonald's.
- Friday: Chevron and Exxon will report their earnings on the same day the April jobs report is released.
All this information will help investors understand better where the market is headed and how the U.S. economy is performing.
What to Watch For
With all these updates, it's essential to keep an eye on how stocks react and what this means for future market trends. The reports on GDP growth and inflation will particularly be crucial in assessing the economic health amid ongoing trade tensions. Similarly, the tech giants' earnings could signal how the sector is handling competitive pressures and technological advancements.
This week could provide some critical answers and possibly set the tone for the stock market in the coming months.
Remember, fellow preppers, always keep a diversified investment portfolio. Let's see what happens! 
