Earnings season has taken the stage for the next couple of weeks as the market steadies itself for another move higher. Of course, another push higher means that companies will need to outperform or show signs of continued growth into the fourth quarter. So far, the financial sector has started with a bang, with better-than-anticipated earnings leaving a pleasant taste in investors' mouths as they load up on their favorite picks.
This can also be seen as the market has switched from a cautionary mode to a bullish mode, with all the major indices recently clearing their 50-day moving averages. As seen in the above picture, the last to cross its 50-DMA was the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 (QQQ). Now that every major index is trading over its 50-DMA, we can use this price level as a new support area.
With that said, let us look at a couple of interesting companies that are due to report this week.
First, we have Intel Business Machines (IBM), which has been consolidating in a range from $145 to $140 for roughly two weeks. With its recent upward trend, IBM would be interesting on a close over $145. However, IBM will need to get through earnings on October 20th.
Another company with a great setup is Las Vegas Sands (LVS). Also reporting on Oct 20th, LVS is sitting in tight consolidation over its 50-DMA. If it continues to hold over $39.84, LVS has a nice setup once it clears $41.02. While both companies are showing consolidation and a potential trade setup, we must wait for them to report as earnings can easily lead to some nasty surprises. Even if a trade is missed from a gap higher, from a technical standpoint waiting for earnings to pass is the best way to protect a trader's capital.
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Get ready to make some money! On the latest edition of StockCharts TV's Mish's Market Minute, as earning season begins, Mish shows you stocks that have already reported and a whole bunch that are set to report next week.
ETF Summary
- S&P 500 (SPY): 442 new support.
- Russell 2000 (IWM): Needs to stay over 225.
- Dow (DIA): 349 support area.
- Nasdaq (QQQ): 369.50 support the 50-DMA.
- KRE (Regional Banks): 71.75 resistance area.
- SMH (Semiconductors): Needs a second close over the 50-DMA at 264.17.
- IYT (Transportation): 255 support area.
- IBB (Biotechnology): 160 resistance. 153.38 support.
- XRT (Retail): 93.77 resistance from 50-DMA.
Forrest Crist-Ruiz
MarketGauge.com
Assistant Director of Trading Research and Education
