Earnings reporting season went into overdrive last week and quite honestly the markets were a lot quieter than I expected. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (chart) gained a modest 0.36%, the Nasdaq (chart) +0.58%, the S&P 500 (chart) +0.43% and the Russell 2000 (chart) actually pulled back 1.18%. So far earnings have come in rather tepid with a few exceptions. Also, volumes on the key indices have been relatively low which is playing a role in the lack of volatility. Technically speaking, nothing is standing out either. The major averages remain above their 50-day moving averages and also remain locked in their multi-week trading ranges.

Next week the financial world will be looking at Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL) to see how their quarter fared. Apple has the ability to move the entire tech sector and the overall market for that matter, so I will certainly be keying into what the company reports financially, and what the tone is in their earnings conference call. Another highly anticipated earnings report next week will come from Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB). After a disastrous IPO, the street will be looking to see if the company has found its footing or if there is more downside to come. Let’s not forget about the other 750 companies that are reporting next week as we enter into the height of the Q2 earnings reporting season. Good luck to all.

Have a great weekend 🙂

~George