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WALL STREET WEEK AHEAD: $GOOGL, $INTC IN FOCUS U.S. earnings season accelerates next week, with $GOOGL and $INTC among the most closely wat…

WALL STREET WEEK AHEAD: $GOOGL, $INTC IN FOCUS U.S. earnings season accelerates next week, with $GOOGL and $INTC among the most closely watched reports as investors look for signals on AI spending, corporate profitability, and the broader market outlook. Markets ended the week on a softer note, with the S&P 500 posting a weekly decline after a sharp pullback in semiconductor stocks. Even so, the index remains up around 9% in 2026 and sits just 2% below its early-June record high. $GOOGL’s AI Spending in Focus $GOOGL reports on Wednesday, and its results are expected to be one of the biggest market catalysts of the week. As one of the “Magnificent Seven” and a leading AI hyperscaler, $GOOGL has invested billions in data centers and AI infrastructure. Investors will be watching closely for any changes to those spending plans. According to Kevin Mahn, President and CIO of Hennion & Walsh Asset Management, any indication that $GOOGL is scaling back AI investment could have ripple effects across the entire AI ecosystem. Chip Stocks Face Another Key Test Semiconductor earnings will remain under the spotlight with $INTC and $TXN also reporting. The sector has delivered exceptional gains this year but has recently come under pressure. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has fallen more than 20% from its late-June high, officially entering bear market territory, despite remaining up more than 60% year-to-date. $INTC shares have surged over 160% this year, while $TXN has gained roughly 60%, highlighting the high expectations investors have already priced in. Recent earnings from Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor ($TSM), despite being solid, received muted market reactions—another sign that expectations for the sector remain extremely high. Earnings Season Picks Up Pace More than 80 S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report next week, including: $TSLA $AXP $RTX $PM The earnings season got off to a strong start with major U.S. banks reporting solid results, supported by robust investment banking activity and strong trading revenues. Consensus estimates currently point to 26% year-over-year earnings growth for the S&P 500 in the second quarter, according to LSEG IBES data. “The fundamentals have been resilient, and earnings continue to be outstanding,” said Michael Arone, Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Investment Management. Geopolitics and the Fed Remain Key Risks Beyond earnings, investors continue to monitor developments in the Middle East following the recent escalation involving Iran. While many expect the conflict to remain relatively contained, renewed tensions could push energy prices higher, potentially reigniting inflation concerns. That comes ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting at the end of July. Recent U.S. inflation data came in cooler than expected, easing some fears of an imminent rate hike. “The macro data has painted a picture of a steady economy with some improvement in inflationary pressure,” said Eric Kuby, CIO at North Star Investment Management. Bottom Line Next week’s earnings could prove pivotal for markets, particularly for the AI trade. $GOOGL’s outlook on AI spending, alongside $INTC and $TXN results, will offer an important read on whether the investment boom that has fueled this year’s rally still has room to run.
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$GOOGL$INTC$TXN$TSM$TSLA$AXP$RTX$PM

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