No. 1Earnings
Big banks open earnings season with a test of higher yields
The largest U.S. banks report on Tuesday, starting the earnings season. Their results will give the first reading on how the economy is holding up while yields rise. Our source material is a brief summary and gives no figures or estimates. Bank commentary on lending and consumer health will be the part to watch, as it is the earliest broad look at the real economy this quarter.
No. 2Equities
Third-quarter earnings carry the market's hopes past rate and oil worries
Expectations for third-quarter earnings are high, and they are currently outweighing concerns about interest rates and oil prices. That leaves the market leaning heavily on corporate profits to hold up stock prices. One expert warns that investors have become "extremely complacent." The source gives no earnings estimates or index levels, so the size of the cushion is unclear. The coming reports will show whether companies can meet the bar that has been set for them.
No. 3Bull market
Bull market turns four, with rising yields a threat to tech leadership
The bull market reaches its fourth anniversary. Throughout that run, technology has been the leading answer to nearly every question about what is driving stocks. The headline points to rising yields as the main threat to that run. Our source is only a short teaser, so it offers no figures on returns or yield levels. The open question is whether tech can keep its leadership if yields continue to climb.