WMB - Wall Street Looks To Extend Rally Amid Caution Over Fed Speeches More Earnings: Why This Analyst Thinks Bull Market Is Still 'Quite Young' | Benzinga

U.S. stocks are likely to extend their gains as major index futures are modestly higher on Monday. Strong earnings reports continue to support the market, with S&P 500 earnings expected to grow by 5% year-over-year — the highest rate since Q2 2022. The possibility of rate cuts has re-emerged, making this week’s flurry of Fed speeches potentially market-moving events. Analysts are confident the upward momentum will continue after a slow April, with the typical strength seen in election years (over the next three months) likely aiding the rally.

Cues From Previous Session 

A dovish Federal Reserve message, benign economic data, and positive earnings reports fueled the market rally for a second consecutive week. All three major indices closed the week ending May 3 firmly in positive territory. While Fed Chair Jerome Powell didn’t provide a specific timeline for rate cuts, he reassured investors by clarifying that hikes are not on the immediate horizon. Big tech companies like Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Amazon, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) met analyst expectations with their earnings reports.

The Institute for Supply Management’s service sector reading fell sharply and dipped into contraction territory. However, the monthly non-farm payrolls report offered mixed signals: lower-than-expected job growth in April, a slight increase in the unemployment rate, and slower-than-expected wage growth.

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