Earnings Season Preview: What Investors Should Watch This Week
As the fourth-quarter earnings season kicks off, there’s a palpable buzz in the air for investors looking to capitalize on market movements. This week, some of the largest banks in the U.S. are set to unveil their earnings, and many are speculating that these reports could lead to substantial shifts in stock prices. At Extreme Investor Network, we believe it’s essential to be abreast of these developments, as they can provide lucrative opportunities in the market.
Key Earnings Reports to Watch
Mark your calendars for this Wednesday—it’s shaping up to be a critical day with major players like JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs all reporting their fourth-quarter results. Following these financial titans, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America will take the stage on Thursday. The financial sector has been on a rollercoaster ride as rising Treasury yields bring both concern and potential growth opportunities.
Investors are on the lookout for strong earnings to soothe their anxiety about the broader market trends. With worries lingering over how increasing Treasury yields could dampen growth stocks, hike borrowing costs, and stifle consumer spending—the stakes are high. Currently, just about 4% of the S&P 500 companies have published their fourth-quarter results, showcasing promising average growth exceeding 22%, according to FactSet data.
Spotlight on Stocks with High Volatility Potential
Using FactSet data, we’ve identified stocks that might experience significant movement the day after they report earnings, based on predictions drawn from options market activity.
Goldman Sachs (GS) has seen its share price soar by 49% over the past year. Expectations are for its shares to experience a move of more than 4% when they announce their fourth-quarter results on Wednesday. This comes on the heels of a strong third quarter, where Goldman beat expectations thanks to surged investment banking revenue and increased stock trading profits. With banking stocks in vogue, bolstered by potential deregulation policies from the new administration, Goldman Sachs represents a significant opportunity.
The Healthcare Sector: UnitedHealth Group
But the excitement isn’t confined to just the financial sector. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is also drawing plenty of attention. Over the past year, the stock has increased by approximately 4%, and it’s seen an impressive rise of 7% in the early months of 2025 alone. However, December brought challenges as the healthcare giant faced scrutiny following the tragic killing of a senior executive, leading to international debates over industry regulations. Analysts estimate that UNH shares might experience a shift as large as 5.2% post-earnings announcement. With employment in the healthcare sector booming and driven by population growth and an increasing retiree demographic, UnitedHealth remains a stock to watch closely.
More Opportunities to Consider
Other noteworthy companies scheduled to report are Taiwan Semiconductor and KB Home. Both firms operate in critical sectors, with Taiwan Semiconductor representing a linchpin in the global tech landscape and KB Home being a bellwether for the housing market.
Conclusion
As the earnings season unfolds, ensure you stay informed and analyze how these upcoming reports could sway market sentiment. Whether it’s the financial behemoths or healthcare leaders, the insights drawn from these earnings calls can shape your investment strategies moving forward.
At Extreme Investor Network, we pride ourselves on not just delivering timely information but also empowering you with actionable insights. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you in-depth analysis and real-time updates on the stock market’s pulse. Happy investing!