← All Dispatches THE VICTORY LANE
UPDATE

Catalyst Watch (week of 4/20) - Warsh confirmation hearing, flash PMIs, and a ton of earnings (AXP, BX, GEV, IBM, INTC, LRCX, NOW, PG, SAP, TEL, TSLA, TXN, VRT, and many more)

Apr 17, 2026 · 06:03 AM ET

MARKETS

No current market data provided in this week-ahead preview.

RATES & FED

The Fed enters a quiet period ahead of its April 29th decision, with Warsh's confirmation hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Flash PMIs on Thursday will provide key insights into economic momentum heading into the Fed meeting.

MARKET OUTLOOK

This week sets up as a critical inflection point with a massive earnings parade that should clarify whether corporate America can navigate the current macro crosscurrents. The combination of robust defense spending, AI infrastructure buildout, and energy sector tailwinds from Middle East tensions creates a compelling backdrop for risk assets. However, elevated oil prices are starting to bite airlines and industrials, while the homebuilding sector remains under pressure from stubborn rate levels.

GEOPOLITICAL

The Iran ceasefire expires on April 22nd, though extension appears likely as Tehran and Washington move toward compromise. Middle East supply chain disruptions are benefiting American commodity chemical firms like DOW, with major financial benefits expected to materialize in Q2 rather than Q1.

COMPANY NEWS

TSLA remains "the world's largest meme stock" with core business performance not justifying its massive market cap, though investors stay optimistic about Optimus and Robotaxi (persistent SpaceX merger chatter helps too). Street expects Q1 sales +17.5% to $22.7B with EPS of 37c.

GEV generates extremely bullish sentiment as investors anticipate extended secular tailwinds for Power and Electrification businesses. Street models Q1 revenue +13.4% to $9.11B with EBITDA +73% to $791MM.

INTC stock has exploded higher on anticipation of foundry business customer announcements and greater CPU significance in AI data centers, despite poor financial prospects and elevated valuation. Q1 revenue expected -2.6% to $12.32B.

VRT benefits from unprecedented AI data center construction boom, though concerns emerge about potential capacity expansion slowdowns. Street expects Q1 organic revenue growth of ~25.6% with EPS of $1.01.

MACRO & FED DATES

April 21 — US retail sales for March (8:30am ET)

April 21 — Warsh Fed confirmation hearing

April 22 — Iran ceasefire expiration

April 23 — US flash PMIs for April (9:45am ET)

April 29 — Fed decision

EARNINGS THIS WEEK

Monday Pre: CLF

Monday Post: STLD, ZION

Tuesday Pre: DGX, DHI, DHR, GE, HAL, MMM, NOC, RTX, UNH

Tuesday Post: CB, COF, ISRG, UAL

Wednesday Pre: BA, BSX, ELV, GEV, MAS, MCO, OTIS, PM, T, TEL, VRT

Wednesday Post: CCI, CSX, IBM, KNX, LRCX, LUV, LVS, NOW, TSLA, TXN, URI

Thursday Pre: AAL, AXP, BX, CMCSA, DOW, FCX, HON, KDP, LMT, PHM, TMO, UNP

Thursday Post: BKR, INTC, NEM, SAP

Friday Pre: CHTR, HCA, NSC, PG, SLB

EARNINGS NEXT 2 WEEKS

European earnings include Wednesday morning reports from ABB, Akzo Nobel, Danone, and Reckitt Benckiser, followed by Thursday morning reports from BE Semiconductor, Heineken, LSEG, Man Group, Nestle, Nokia, Roche, Sanofi, Schindler, and STM.

1.3x
Ready — auto-starting...