Apple, BofA, Morgan Stanley, IBM, GE, Goldman and Google are among the names reporting this week. And if last week's numbers are any guide, the market should have plenty of reasons to rally -- especially because expectations aren't all that great.
Once again, profit reports are expected to be a tale of strong growth, thanks more to cost cuts than revenue gains. And perhaps even more telling, fourth-quarter 2010 earnings are competing with downright dismal reports for the year-earlier period. [Video]
This week was all about jobs reports, and after December's employment numbers fell short of expectations, stocks ended the first week of trading in 2011 on a down note. Kenny Polcari, managing director at ICAP Corporates explains from the New York Stock Exchange.
After putting up solid gains this year, the case for the stock market in 2011 is more of the same. And when the Fed finally raises short-term rates, one pro says, the smart traders will be those who jump on the opportunity to do some serious bargain-hunting. [Video]
Stocks are closing out 2010 with a double-digit bang. Veteran NYSE trader Teddy Weisberg says those gains coming amid gut-wrenching volatility should be no surprise, and he points to three important lessons from the market's behavior that will help guide investors in 2011. [Video]
Improving economic conditions, strong corporate profits and the Fed's easy money have some money managers bullish on equities going into 2011. Plus, companies are staring to deploy their cash hoards on M&A, dividends and share buybacks. [Video]
Traders face plenty of economic news this week, and considering how much the market has risen, it could be time for a bit of a pullback. But at least one trader thinks that's just what's needed to create a base for further gains ahead. [Video]
The markets ended the week on a high note with encouraging economic news, a surprise jump in consumer sentiment and a drop in the trade deficit, among other things. Is the Fed's latest round of stimulus working?
Beyond the next series of economic indicators, what really matters now is a strong holiday selling season. If it materializes, that could pole-vault the market to new highs, making 12,000 on the Dow by year-end well within reach. [Video]
Stocks and commodities fell sharply Friday amid anxiety that China will hike interest rates to keep its economy from overheating. The Dow flirted with a triple-digit loss. Gold and oil prices likewise plunged.
The six-week rally will be tested in the next few days by the much-anticipated midterm election and the Fed policy statement. And if that weren't enough to make things interesting on Tuesday and Wednesday, October's jobs report is slated for Friday.
Solid quarterly earnings and anticipation of more stimulus from the Fed have helped lift the Dow by 400 points over the past two weeks. However, another boost is coming from individuals who've begun moving money from bonds to equities.
Stocks closed mixed Friday as another round of solid third-quarter earnings reports was checked by rising anxiety about the dollar. Despite the uncertainty, stocks pulled off their third straight week of gains.
Volatility started picking up in the last few sessions, and now that a downbeat Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has made another round of stimulus all but certain, traders are taking notice that things aren't nearly as good as they could be.
Stocks closed mixed Friday as Google's strong earnings lifted tech stocks but mounting concern over the foreclosure crisis and a revenue miss from GE weighed on financials and the broader market.