Tesla (TSLA) and Intel (INTC) to Report Q3 Earnings. September CPI Data Draws Renewed Attention【The week ahead】

TradingKey - The S&P 500 has been on a steady climb, setting record highs since April, but recently encountered a series of headwinds that have weighed on the rally. As the U.S. Q3 earnings season reaches its peak, this week brings key reports from Tesla (TSLA.US), Intel (INTC.US), and IBM Corp (IBM). Additionally, quarterly results are due from Coca-Cola (KO), Netflix (NFLX), and Procter & Gamble (PG).

Investor focus will also turn to Friday’s release of the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Morgan Stanley expects the September CPI print to rise again, with ongoing tariff pass-through continuing to push up core inflation.

Preview of major events

U.S. Q3 Earnings Season Reaches Peak Week.Tesla, Intel Earnings in Focus as Investors Seek Profitability Clues

U.S. earnings season is entering its peak week, with markets closely focused on results from Tesla (TSLA), Intel (INTC), and IBM Corp (IBM), which will provide investors with deeper insights into corporate profitability. Additional reports are due from Coca-Cola (KO.US), Netflix (NFLX.US), Procter & Gamble (PG.US), and Blackstone (BX.US).

Wall Street expects S&P 500 companies to post a roughly 8% year-over-year increase in third-quarter profits, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of earnings growth. Notably, tech sector earnings expectations for the quarter outpace all other industries, led by software and semiconductor firms.

Delayed U.S. September CPI Report: What Will It Reveal?

The delayed inflation data will deliver another test for the stock market. With the government shutdown pushing back key reports, all eyes are turning to Friday’s release of the September CPI—the week’s only major economic event.

If the U.S. September CPI print comes in softer, it could ease inflation concerns and reinforce expectations for a dovish Fed. Markets are currently pricing in a near-certain 25-basis-point rate cut at the October 28–29 meeting, following the central bank’s signal that quantitative tightening is nearing an end. Unless the CPI reading shows a significant overheating, the current rate outlook is unlikely to change.

Fed to Hold Payments Innovation Symposium, Discussing Stablecoins, AI and Tokenization

The Federal Reserve will host a conference on payment innovation on October 21, exploring emerging topics including the use cases for stablecoins, the convergence of artificial intelligence and payments, and the tokenization of financial products and services.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will deliver the keynote address. Fed Governor Christopher Waller will give opening remarks at the Federal Reserve Board’s Payments Innovation Symposium.

Selected Economic Data

Monday: U.S. September Conference Board Leading Economic Index Month-over-Month

Thursday: U.S. September Existing Home Sales (Annualized)

Friday: U.S. September Unadjusted CPI Year-over-Year

This week's featured events

Monday: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers speech

Tuesday: Federal Reserve hosts payments innovation symposium

Wednesday: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde speaks

Corporate Earnings

Monday: Coca-Cola (KO.N), General Motors (GM.N)

Tuesday: AT&T (T.N), Tesla (TSLA.O), IBM (IBM.N), Netflix (NFLX.US)

Wednesday: Intel (INTC.O), Ford Motor (F.N)