Good morning investors! This is going to be a busy week with major earnings and Fed decision. Plus, the Iran situation remains at play.
Today we cover:
What to expect this week
BIG 7 report
Insurance pricing to change?
📊 Economy and News
What to Expect This Week
This week, investors will focus on two major themes: the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and a wave of earnings reports from the Magnificent Seven tech giants.
Here’s what to keep an eye on this week:
Monday, April 27, 2026
Verizon is set to report on Monday.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Seagate Technology (STX): Earnings release after market close + conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET. Investors will watch for updates on demand for data storage driven by AI infrastructure.
Starbucks (SBUX): Q2 earnings after the bell + conference call at 4:15 p.m. ET. Focus will be on whether the company’s turnaround plan is starting to boost sales.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Federal Reserve (FOMC) Meeting: Interest rate decision announced at 2:00 p.m. ET, followed by Fed Chair Jerome Powell press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL): Q1 earnings + conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Amazon (AMZN): Q1 earnings + conference call at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Meta Platforms (META): Q1 earnings + conference call at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Microsoft (MSFT): Fiscal Q3 earnings + conference call at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG): Earnings release (timing not specified in original, but noted for the day).
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Western Digital (WDC): Fiscal Q3 earnings after close + conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Sandisk (SNDK): Earnings conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET (memory/storage sector in focus due to AI buildout).
Apple (AAPL): Fiscal Q2 earnings + conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET. Investors will look for signals on strategy under incoming CEO John Ternus.
Friday, May 1, 2026
ExxonMobil (XOM): Q1 earnings + conference call at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Chevron (CVX): Q1 earnings + conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET. Oil majors’ results will be closely watched due to volatility in oil supply and the Strait of Hormuz situation.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) Annual Shareholder Meeting: Investor Q&A sessions webcast from 10:30–11:45 a.m. ET and 12:45–2:00 p.m. ET. Official annual meeting begins at 3:00 p.m. ET. Note: The conglomerate is now led by Greg Abel.
Global hits:
Iran’s Araghchi expected back in Pakistan after Oman trip as U.S.-Iran talks stall.
Egypt economic outlook trimmed slightly due to Iran war.
Swiss International says several injured after flight aborts takeoff in India.
Reminder: US Senator Tillis says he’s ready to advance confirmation of Warsh as Fed chair.
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📈 Stocks
S&P 500 7,165.08 (+0.80%)
DJIA 49,230.71 (-0.16%)
NASDAQ 24,836.60 (+1.63%)
BRENT CRUDE 105.3(-0.01%)
* Prices as of Apr 26th, 12:20 AM UTC
Big Tech’s $16T Earnings Week: Big Moment for the Market Rally
A pivotal week is ahead for investors as Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Apple report earnings. Together worth nearly $16 trillion—about a quarter of the S&P 500—their results will test whether the recent market rally can hold.
The “Magnificent Seven” have driven a sharp rebound, lifting the S&P 500 after a weak start to 2026, when fears over heavy AI spending triggered a 16% drop in the group. Now, investors need proof that massive capital expenditures—projected to hit $649 billion in 2026—will translate into sustainable growth.
Earnings are expected to remain strong, with Big Tech profits forecast to grow 19% versus 12% for the broader market. Cloud businesses are a key focus, with rapid expansion driven by AI demand boosting divisions like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
However, risks remain. Rising AI costs are pressuring cash flow, and any संकेत of weak returns could derail momentum. Recent market reactions show little tolerance for disappointment, even when growth is robust.
Interesting: Nvidia’s stock closed at its first record since October, as a rally in Intel pushed chipmakers higher. Shares of Nvidia jumped 4.3%, hitting over $208, while Intel had its best day since 1987, soaring 24%. Investors are piling into the chip trade ahead of earnings from the hyperscalers this week.
Check this interesting article on why Berkshire is now more attractive as it slips further behind the S&P 500..
Surprising: Generation X is emerging as a dominant force in the beauty industry, reshaping growth strategies for retailers like Ulta Beauty and Sephora
💵 Personal Finance
Insurance Pricing Under Fire: Regulatory Risk Builds for Insurers
A growing wave of U.S. state legislation could disrupt how insurers price risk, with proposals in multiple states aiming to ban the use of credit-based scoring in auto and home insurance.
Currently, insurers rely on credit data to assess risk and set premiums—lower scores often mean higher costs, even for otherwise low-risk customers. Research shows the impact is significant: drivers with poor credit can pay up to 69% more, while homeowners may face premiums roughly 24% higher for identical coverage.
Only a handful of states, including California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, currently restrict or ban the practice. New proposals across other states signal rising political pressure to expand those limits.
For insurers, the stakes are high. Industry groups argue that credit-based models improve pricing accuracy and keep premiums lower overall. Eliminating them could compress margins and force repricing across risk pools.
Investor takeaway:
This is a developing regulatory risk. If bans expand, insurers may face reduced pricing precision, potential margin pressure, and shifts in competitive dynamics—especially in personal auto and homeowners segments.
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