Day Ahead: Top 3 Things to Watch

Investing.com – Here are the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow.

1. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), AMD Earnings on Deck

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) delivers fiscal third-quarter results Tuesday after the closing bell, closing the curtains on the quarterly earnings season for big tech.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to report earnings of $2.09 a share on revenue of $53.3 billion, down from $2.34 in earnings on revenue of $53.3 billion a year ago.

As well as the usual earnings and guidance, Apple's services segment - iCloud, Apple Music, and the App Store, among other apps - will be closely watched as the tech giant strives to reduce its dependence on iPhone sales, which make up about 60% of total revenue.

Goldman Sachs, citing data from Sensor Tower, expressed caution on the iPhone maker's services revenue amid signs of slowing App-Store growth.

"In revenue terms Sensor Tower indicates iOS App Store revenue growth of 14% Y/Y in June down from 18% year-on-year in May, 21% in April and 22% in March," Goldman Sachs said in a note on July 16.

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), meanwhile, also reports earnings after the closing bell Tuesday.

The chipmaker's report comes amid a better-than-expected PC environment and a more sanguine backdrop for the broader sector in the wake of a string of positive updates from semis, including Taiwan Semiconductor, Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN) and rival Intel (NASDAQ:INTC).

AMD is expected to report earnings of 8 cents a share on revenue of $1.52 billion, according to analysts polled by Investing.com. That would be down from 14 cents a share on revenue of $1.76 billion a year ago. The chipmaker's guidance will also be closely watched, with investors eager to see if the company remains on track to meet management's guidance for high-single-digit year-on-year growth.

Merck, Pfizer and Procter&Gamble are the other notable names slated to report earnings before markets open.

2. Health of U.S. Consumer, Housing in Spotlight

The health of the consumer, the backbone of the recent strength seen in U.S. economy, will be in the spotlight once again with consumer confidence and spending on the calendar.

Personal income for June is forecast to have slowed to 0.3% from 0.5% in the prior month while personal spending is expected to also have slowed 0.3% from 0.4%.

The Conference Board at 10 AM ET (14:00 GMT) is expected to report consumer confidence jumped to a reading of 125 in July from 121.5.

Housing also will garner attention, with the National Association of Realtors expected to issue its monthly measure of pending home sales at 10 AM ET (14:00 GMT).

On average, economists expect that homes under contract to be sold in June slowed to rise 0.5% in June from 1.1% the previous month.

3. API Crude Inventory Data Ahead

The American Petroleum Institute’s data due tomorrow will provide traders with an early insight into whether U.S. crude supplies are set to extend their six-week decline.

The API reported last week that domestic crude supplies fell by 10.961 million barrels.

The data comes as investors await US-China trade talks that are set to resume this week in Shanghai, with analysts warning that oil prices may fall in the weeks ahead should the talks not bear fruit.

"Even with Iran's escalating activity in the Strait of Hormuz and a large draw in U.S. oil inventories, oil markets weren't able to push higher, suggesting there may be more downside in the weeks ahead," said GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan.

"Concerns still abound over the lack of a China/U.S. trade deal," he added.

West Texas intermediate crude, the benchmark U.S. crude oil, rose 1.2% Monday to settle at $56.87 a barrel.

Related Articles

GM braces for attacks from Democrats in Detroit debates

Mylan stock boost follows long share struggles for company, generics industry

Beyond Meat Quarterly Loss Wider Than Expected, but Sales Beat