Equities: Earnings and Fed keep risk balanced – Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank’s strategists note that global equities delivered a mixed performance, with the S&P 500 posting a second consecutive weekly decline even as semiconductor shares recovered. European and some Asian markets fared better, while US futures moved higher at the start of the week. Investor attention now turns to a heavy earnings calendar, with Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Amazon among the companies set to report and provide a key test of confidence in AI-related spending.

Tech earnings and Fed steer equities

"Against that backdrop, equities put in a mixed performance around the world. In the US, the S&P 500 fell -0.61% (+0.05% Friday), marking back-to-back weekly declines for the first time since March. That happened despite a recovery in chip stocks, with the Philly semiconductor index up +1.24% last week (-4.25% Friday)."

"And outside the US, equities put in a stronger performance, with the STOXX 600 up +0.46% last week thanks to a +0.82% recovery on Friday as hopes for new US-Iran talks rekindled. The Nikkei was up +0.73% (-2.73% Friday)."

"S&P 500 futures are up +0.71% with Nasdaq futures gaining +1.17%. Also on the positive side, the S&P/ASX 200 (+1.14%) is leading regional gains, while the Hang Seng (+0.81%), CSI 300 (+0.25%), and Shanghai Composite (+0.40%) are all higher. However the KOSPI (-0.28%) and Nikkei (-0.14%) are lagging with their tech stocks on the weaker side."

"Around 35% of the S&P 500's market capitalisation is scheduled to report this week. Technology will dominate attention, with Microsoft and Meta releasing results (Wednesday), followed by Apple and Amazon (Thursday)."

"Together, those companies account for 17% of the S&P 500 and will help determine whether investor enthusiasm around AI-related spending remains intact. Elsewhere, notable US earnings releases include Visa and Mastercard in financials, ExxonMobil and Chevron in energy, and Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble in consumer staples."