Stock expert Ricky Gutierrez with over 1.24m subscribers on YouTube is calling this one of the most important weeks in the market, and it’s easy to see why.
Big tech earnings are piled up this week. The Fed rate decision lands right in the middle. Those two things together can move trillions of dollars in hours.
Markets are inching back toward all-time highs. Tension between the US and Iran seems to be easing and tech optimism are driving the push. But underneath, cracks are still there.
Oil prices remain elevated, and the labor market hasn’t fully stabilized. That tension is what makes this week critical. If earnings impress, the rally can extend. If they disappoint, things can unwind fast. Here are 5 stocks to watch.
What you'll learn 👉
Meta (META)
Meta Platforms Inc. goes into earnings after a powerful run from around $517 to nearly $700. That kind of move in a short time raises a simple question: how much upside is left?
Meta still prints massive revenue, over $200 billion a year, with good margins. But people are starting to worry about how much the company spends, especially on AI infrastructure.
Gutierrez says Meta is a solid business for the long run, but the stock is not cheap at this price. If earnings come in better than expected and the outlook stays strong, the stock can keep going up. If not, Meta is one of those names that can reverse direction in a hurry.
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Microsoft (MSFT)
Microsoft Corporation remains one of the most stable names in the market, generating over $120 billion in net income. That level of profitability gives it a strong base even during uncertain periods.
Even so, attention is shifting toward its position in the AI race. Compared to competitors, its recent price performance has lagged slightly. That puts more weight on this earnings report.
Gutierrez views this as a key checkpoint. Strong results can restore confidence, especially if AI-related growth shows up clearly in the numbers.
Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon.com Inc. enters earnings with focus split between consumer demand and AWS performance.
Investors are looking for stable retail numbers alongside continued strength in cloud revenue. That combination has historically supported Amazon’s valuation. With expectations already elevated, any miss on either side can trigger volatility.
Alphabet (GOOGL)
Google parent Alphabet faces earnings with focus on ad income and artificial intelligence strategy. Advertisement will continue to dominate, while future success depends on its ability to compete in artificial intelligence infrastructure and services.
Markets are watching for clear progress on both fronts.This report has broader implications across the tech sector.
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Apple (AAPL)
Apple Inc. comes at the end of the reporting season, being the last big catalyst of the week. The stock’s behavior is strongly influenced by consumer sentiment and new products.
Even so, its size means any reaction can influence overall market sentiment. Strong results can reinforce bullish positioning. Weak numbers can cool momentum quickly.
Factors Affecting Stock Prices Presently
Markets are feeling pressure and strength. Macro risks keep pulling one way, but strong company earnings keep pulling the other.
AI spending is still huge. Mega-cap companies keep pouring billions into data centers and infrastructure. The new question is who turns that spending into actual profit.
Hedge funds took profits on tech. They cut exposure to US information technology at the fastest pace since July 2024. This was the third largest weekly exit from the sector in five years. Long sales beat short covers by a ratio of 1.9 to 1.0. Software, semiconductors, hardware, and communications equipment all got hit. But allocation to tech is still 20.6% of total US gross market value. That is higher than 92% of the time over the last year and higher than 98% of the time over the last five years. Funds are realizing gains after a historic run, not fleeing the sector.
Hedge funds are taking profits on tech stocks:
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 26, 2026
Hedge funds posted their largest reduction in US information technology exposure since July 2024 last week.
This also marks the 3rd largest weekly exit from the sector in at least 5 years.
The move was driven by long sales… pic.twitter.com/4xy5ox72LK
Inflation is still a problem. Energy prices climbed above $100 a barrel in March. That pushed US inflation to 3.3% year over year. Hopes for aggressive rate cuts have cooled.
The Fed is not cutting rates. They are stuck between 3.5% and 3.75%. Borrowing money costs more. That helps companies with strong cash flow. Speculative names do worse.
Earnings are doing fine. Early 2026 data shows the S&P 500 up by double digits. Forecasts for the full year run from 13% to 16%. AI improvements and business-friendly policies are helping.
Geopolitical trouble is still here. Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are not going anywhere. Every time there is news of things cooling down, markets pop higher.
This week is less about individual stocks and more about how everything connects. Earnings from big tech and the Fed decision create a setup where volatility can increase quickly.
Ricky Gutierrez’s core message is simple: stay aware and avoid forcing trades. Let the data come in, watch how price reacts, and then decide.
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