The Week Ahead: Jobs Data, Fed Speakers and Earnings Reports

Author: James Hyerczyk

Updated: August 02, 2026

Key Highlights

• U.S. jobs report to be released on Friday, marking a significant week for labor market and manufacturing data.
• SpaceX's first earnings report as a public company, alongside earnings from AMD and Palantir.
• Federal Reserve speakers may influence market expectations regarding interest rates after the recent decision to maintain rates.

Market Overview

U.S. equities closed higher last week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 1.04% to 52,485.03, the Nasdaq Composite up 1.59% to 25,373.85, and the S&P 500 increasing by 1.05% to 7,489.72. The Federal Reserve's decision to keep the federal funds target range unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% for the fifth consecutive meeting was a focal point, despite dissent from three policymakers advocating for a rate increase due to ongoing inflation concerns.

Earnings Season Insights

The earnings season has been supportive of equities, with over 86% of S&P 500 companies exceeding analyst expectations. Notably, Microsoft and Amazon reported strong cloud-computing revenues, while Apple and Meta Platforms faced scrutiny over capital spending and margins. The second-quarter earnings growth expectations have risen to 37%, reflecting broad participation across sectors.

Upcoming Economic Releases and Earnings

Monday, August 3

• Before the Open: Marriott International (est. $3.08), Tyson Foods (est. $0.98)
• Economic Releases: Final Manufacturing PMI, ISM Manufacturing PMI, Construction Spending m/m
• After the Close: Palantir Technologies (est. $0.34), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (est. $4.74)

Tuesday, August 4

• Before the Open: Caterpillar (est. $6.20), McDonald’s (est. $3.32)
• Economic Releases: Trade Balance, JOLTS Job Openings, Factory Orders m/m
• After the Close: Advanced Micro Devices (est. $1.61), SpaceX (est. -$0.29)

Wednesday, August 5

• Before the Open: CVS Health (est. $1.85), Eli Lilly (est. $6.01)
• Economic Releases: ADP Non-Farm Employment Change, ISM Services PMI

Thursday, August 6

• Economic Releases: Challenger Job Cuts y/y, Initial Jobless Claims

Friday, August 7

• Economic Releases: Average Hourly Earnings m/m, Non-Farm Employment Change, Unemployment Rate

Technical Outlook

All major indices are currently above their rising 52-week simple moving averages (SMAs), indicating a sustained long-term uptrend. The Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 are positioned for potential upward movement, contingent on upcoming economic data and corporate earnings.

Conclusion

This week is pivotal for market participants, with key economic indicators and earnings reports expected to shape trading dynamics. The focus will be on labor market data and corporate guidance, which could either reinforce the current market trend or test established support levels.

About the Author

James Hyerczyk is a seasoned technical analyst and educator with over 40 years of experience in market analysis and trading, specializing in chart patterns and price movement.