The Weekly Upate
Week of April 27th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
Stocks were mixed last week as investors gauged potential outcomes of the Middle East conflict amid an ongoing ceasefire.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.50 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.44 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 2.75 percent.
Mixed Markets As Investors Look Ahead
Stocks began the week lower after tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend. They remained under pressure through Tuesday’s close as Wednesday’s expiration of the ceasefire loomed.
Markets opened higher on Wednesday as investors cheered a ceasefire extension, while solid Q1 corporate earnings results boosted market momentum. Oil prices rose above $100/barrel, and all three major stock averages closed higher, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq logging new all-time highs.
The S&P and Nasdaq recovered from a slump in software stocks, while higher oil prices put stocks under pressure, logging fresh intraday highs along the way. Investors appeared increasingly desensitized to the Middle East conflict.
Consumer Paradox
Fresh news on Friday showed consumer sentiment slipped to an all-time low in April. Consumers may be thinking about inflation, the job market, and geopolitical tensions.
However, the paradox is that consumers keep spending. Last Tuesday’s retail sales report showed consumer spending rose 1.7 percent in March, the highest monthly rise in more than 3 years.
This Week Key Economic Data
Tuesday: S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Consumer Confidence.
Wednesday: Durable Goods. Housing Starts (Feb+Mar)*. Building Permits (Feb+Mar)*. U.S. Trade Balance in Goods. Retail & Wholesale Inventories. FOMC Interest Rate Decision. Fed Chair Press Conference.
Thursday: GDP (Q1). Weekly Jobless Claims. Employment Cost Index. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index. Leading Economic Indicators.
*Indicates federal data release delayed by government shutdown
Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar: April 24, 2026.
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CAD)
Tuesday: Visa Inc. (V), The Coca-Cola Company (KO), T-Mobile-US, Inc. (TMUS), Corning Incorporated (GLW), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG), Welltower Inc. (WELL), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Spotify Technology (SPOT)
Wednesday: Alphabet Inc. (GOOG/GOOGL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), AbbVie, Inc. (ABBV), KLA Corporation (KLAC), Amphenol Corporation (APH), Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM), Equinix, Inc. (EQIX)
Thursday: Apple Inc. (AAPL), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), Mastercard Incorporated (MA), Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), Merck & CO., Inc. (MRK), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), ConocoPhillips (COP), Sandisk Corporation (SNDK), Western Digital Corporation (WDC), Stryker Corporation (SYK), Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH), Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY), Altria Group, Inc. (MO), The Southern Company (SO)
Friday: Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (BRK.A/BRK.B), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), Chevron Corporation (CVX)
Source: Zacks, April 24, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.
