The Bottom Line
Peace has “broken out” in the Middle East (at least temporarily). Equity markets around the world responded accordingly on Friday.
Look for more good news this week! First quarter results released to date by U.S. companies generally have exceeded consensus estimates (notably by most major banks). Frequency of first quarter reports by major U.S. corporations increases this week. Consensus calls for more companies reporting accelerated first quarter earnings and revenue gains.
More good news: After releasing strong first quarter results at their annual meetings, look for Chief Executive Officers to announce that earnings and revenue gains are expected to accelerate in the second quarter and into the remainder of 2026.
Adding to the good news for investors in the short term, favourable corporate news comes when the traditional period of seasonal strength in North American equity markets between now and the first week in May normally occurs.
Earnings and Revenues Consensus for S&P 500 companies
Source: www.factset.com
Analysts increased 2026 earnings and revenue estimates again last week.
· Consensus for first quarter 2026 calls for a 13.2% earnings increase, up from a 12.6% increase last week. Revenue gains increased to 9.9% from 9.8%.
· Consensus for second quarter 2026 earnings gains increased to 20.1% from19.7%. Consensus for revenue gains increased to 10.3% from 10.1%.
· Consensus for third quarter 2026 earnings gains increased to 22.2% from 21.8%. Consensus for revenue gains increased to 9.2% from 9.1%.
· Consensus for fourth quarter 2026 earnings gains increased to 19.9% from 19.6%. Revenue gains slipped to 8.9% from 9.0%.
· For all of 2026, consensus for earnings gains increased to 18.0% from 17.6%. Consensus for revenue gains increased to 9.2% from 9.0%.
Economic News This Week
March U.S. Retail Sales released at 8:30 AM EST on Tuesday are expected to increase 1.5% versus a 0.6% increase in February. Excluding auto sales March Sales are expected to increase 1.4% versus a 0.5% increase in February
February U.S. Business Inventories released at 10:00 AM EST on Tuesday are expected to increase 0.3% versus a 0.1% drop in January.
Selected Earnings News This Week
Another 93 S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report quarterly results (including 12 Dow Jones Industrial Average Companies). Two TSX 60 companies are scheduled to report: Waste Connection and Rogers Communications.
Trader’s Corner
Equity Indices and Related ETFs
Daily Seasonal/Technical Equity Trends for April 17th 2026
Green: Increase from previous day
Red: Decrease from previous day
Source for all positive seasonality ratings: www.EquityClock.com
Commodities
Daily Seasonal/Technical Commodities Trends for April 17th 2026
Green: Increase from previous day
Red: Decrease from previous day
Sectors
Daily Seasonal/Technical Sector Trends for April 17th 2026
Green: Increase from previous day
Red: Decrease from previous day
Changes Last Week
Links offered by valued providers
Michael Campbell’s Money Talks for April 18th
Michael Campbell’s MoneyTalks – Complete Show (mikesmoneytalks.ca)
Mike Wilson: Why The Lows Are In and Where the Market Goes Next: Guy Adami and Dan Nathan
Mike Wilson: Why The Lows Are In and Where the Market Goes Next – YouTube
BREAKING: TRUMP: Iran has announced the Strait of Hormuz is open, ready for full passage
BREAKING: TRUMP: Iran has announced the Strait of Hormuz is open, ready for full passage – YouTube
Evaluating the Past, Present and Future: David Keller
SPX 7000: Evaluating the Past, Present, and Future (stockcharts.com)
The Market is on a Rare Run, But Can It Continue? Mary Ellen McGonagle
The Market is on a Rare Run, But Can It Continue? (stockcharts.com)
Breakouts Like These Can Lead To Exhilarating Gains: Tom Bowley
Breakouts Like These Can Lead To Exhilarating Gains (stockcharts.com)
Home Ownership vs Rent and Invest: Bob Hoye
https://www.howestreet.com/category/media/radio-podcasts/
Stocks Betting This Time is Different: Danielle Park
https://www.howestreet.com/2026/04/stocks-betting-this-time-is-different/
Trading Desk Notes for April 18, 2026: Victor Adair
https://www.howestreet.com/2026/04/trading-desk-notes-for-april-18-2026/
Technical Notes for Friday
S&P 100 and NASDAQ 100 stocks breaking resistance resuming intermediate uptrends included Marriott (MAR) on a move above $369.29 to an all-time high, Cadence Design (CDNS) on a move above $311.70, Analog Devices (ADI) on a move above $362.07 to an all-time high, CSX (CSX) on a move above $43.35, AirBNB (ABNB) on a move above $141.40, Simon Properties (SPG) on a move above $202.77 to an all-time high, Target (TGT) on a move above $126.00
Technology SPDRs (XLK) moved above $152.57 to an all-time high extending an intermediate uptrend.
Midcap SPDRs (MDY) moved above $661.02 to an all-time high extending an intermediate uptrend.
Transportation Average iShares (IYT) moved above $82.77 to an all-time high extending an intermediate uptrend.
U.S. REIT iShares (IYR) moved above $101.51 to a four year high extending an intermediate uptrend.
South Korea iShares (EWY) moved above $82.77 to an all-time high extending an intermediate uptrend.
BMO Emerging Markets ETF (ZEM.TO) moved above $31.15 to an all-time high extending an intermediate uptrend.
S&P 500 Momentum Barometers
The 50 day Barometer added 8.40 on Friday and gained 17.40 last week to 61.00. It changed from Neutral to Overbought on a move above 60.00. Daily uptrend was extended.
The short term (20 days) Barometer added 6.20 on Friday and gained 13.80 last week to 80.40. It remains Overbought. Daily uptrend was extended
The long term Barometer added 5.00 to 61.60 on Friday and gained 7.40 last week to 61.60. It changed from Neutral to Overbought on a move above 60.00. Daily uptrend was extended.
TSX Momentum Barometers
The intermediate term Barometer added 0.91 on Friday and gained 3.91 last week to 65.45, It remains Overbought.
The short term Barometer added 4.09 on Friday and gained 1.24 last week to 72.73. It remains Overbought.
The long term Barometer was unchanged on Friday and gained 4.42 last week to 75.91. It remains Overbought.
Disclaimer: Seasonality ratings and technical ratings offered in this report and at
www.equityclock.com are for information only. They should not be considered as advice to purchase or to sell mentioned securities. Data offered in this report is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.
|
|
Equity Clock Publications