Thursday's big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market

Key Market Movers to Watch Thursday: Insights for Informed Investment Decisions

Think of the stock market like a big sports game—sometimes your team is winning, sometimes it’s losing, and the score can change quickly. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the latest news, especially if you’re investing your hard-earned money.

What’s Happening Right Now?

This week, investors are watching some important updates. We have new jobless claims coming out, which tell us how many people are asking for help after losing their jobs. Companies like American Airlines, Blackstone, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Alphabet (Google), and Tesla are also sharing their latest earnings. These reports are like report cards for businesses, showing how well (or not) they’ve been doing.

Why Investors Care

When these big companies share their results, it can make stock prices jump up or down. That means your investments might grow—or shrink—based on the news. Jobless claims are also important because they show how healthy the job market is, which can affect the whole economy and, in turn, the stock market.

Bulls: Reasons to Feel Positive

  • Intel is up 57% in the last three months. Analysts think the company will keep doing well, and it rarely misses its revenue targets.
  • American Airlines has climbed 29% in the same period, showing signs of recovery in the travel sector.
  • Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is up a huge 82% over the last three months, partly thanks to excitement about artificial intelligence (AI).
  • The U.S. jobless claims number is expected to be low, pointing to a strong job market.

Bears: Reasons to Be Cautious

  • Alphabet (Google) and Tesla both beat revenue expectations but missed earnings per share, causing their stocks to fall after hours.
  • Blackstone is down 5.3% in three months and has dropped 35% from its high last September.
  • Lockheed Martin and American Airlines are both down from their highs earlier in the year.
  • Implied volatility is high for some stocks, meaning prices could swing a lot—up or down—making things riskier for short-term investors.
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What History Tells Us

Usually during earnings season, stocks can be extra jumpy. According to a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, stock market volatility is about 40% higher during earnings announcements compared to other times. This means investors often see bigger moves—sometimes in both directions—when companies share their results.

Investor Lessons from the Pros

Jim Cramer, a well-known TV investor, reminds everyone not to panic during earnings season. He says it’s okay to “sit on your hands”—meaning you don’t have to make quick trades just because there’s a lot of news. Instead, focus on strong companies and look for good deals if prices drop too much.

Investor Takeaway

  • Don’t rush to make big changes to your portfolio just because there’s a lot of news—wait for the dust to settle.
  • Watch for companies that show steady growth and rarely miss expectations, like Intel and AMD right now.
  • If you see a stock you like drop after earnings, check if it’s a real problem or just a temporary dip—sometimes this is a chance to buy at a discount.
  • Remember, high volatility means prices can swing both ways, so be careful with risky bets.
  • Keep your eyes on jobless claims and major earnings reports, as these can change the market mood in a hurry.

For the full original report, see CNBC

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