Daily Review: GOOG, AMD, and MSFTU.S. markets began the week on a strong note, led by small caps. The Russell 2000 Index finished the day up nearly 4% while the Nasdaq 100 lagged behind notching 0.5% at the end of the session.
This week represents a pivotal point of the rally as earnings season hits full swing with big cap tech reporting this week. Some names on deck later this week are TSLA, FB, AAPL and SHOP of which I will be reviewing on later posts this week. Today, we search for some market clues with GOOG, AMD and MSFT.
Tech Flexing
It's tough to bet against tech these days. Despite a global economic shutdown, large cap tech stocks have been resilient…on the charts. It will be interesting to see how they look on the balance sheet! We begin today with Alphabet, Inc (GOOG) on a weekly view.
GOOG has staged an impressive rally off the March 23 low making up nearly half its losses from its all-time high, $1532.11. At first glance, GOOG appeared to have broken through critical long term trendline support, but after review, GOOG has found support on a trendline drawn from the 2015 lows.
GOOG is heading into 2020 earnings after delivering strong 18% increase of revenue year over year. However, there are questions on whether the internet advertising giant will be able to impress this time around. The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely had an impact on whether businesses invest in online advertising, a large share of GOOG's revenue. Whether the magnitude of the impact shows up in Q1 earnings is yet to be seen.
Overall, GOOG bulls have enjoyed the past months worth of gains. However, there is reason to be cautious going into earnings as market strength and price begin to divert while overhead weekly resistance remains. Bias: Bearish .
Technically, Beautiful
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) has been the semiconductor darling for over a year ever since breaking out from a year long cup and handle pattern on October 2019. AMD is now up 100% since that breakout and COULD be poised for more upside. I emphasized could on purpose, because on the weekly chart AMD is knocking into resistance at $59.27. Any break higher may also be met with RSI divergence. AMD in my opinion is a tough buy at these levels as the risk reward is not favorable going into earnings.
On the plus side, AMD is a beneficiary of being partnered with Sony and Microsoft who are both scheduled to be releasing brand new gaming consoles later this year. How these schedules are impacted by COVID-19 is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, I would not be surprised if AMD pulled back a bit before heading higher. Overall, I like the stock long term from a technical and fundamental perspective, but on the short term I'll be waiting on a dip. Bias: Bearish .
Trillion Dollar Baby
Above is the daily view of Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). Trading 8% below its all-time high, MSFT is going into earnings in potentially in a make or break position for the broad market. MSFT makes up the largest percentage weight of the Nasdaq 100 (NDX) and today the index was lagging behind throughout the trading session. Either, MSFT and big tech have run out of gas or this is a healthy pause before marching back into all-time highs.
If MSFT does pull back, there is not much support. The rally has been a straight shot up from the lows. MSFT is a tough buy here especially after the discouraging performance of the NDX at the start of the week. Bias: Bearish .
Pivotal Week Ahead
With MSFT, AAPL, GOOG, AMZN and FB all reporting fiscal year Q1 2020 earnings this week, we should get a better grasp of how the market will trade in the months ahead. We must also assume that companies will be doing their best to lay down the framework to ease in the harsh reality of Q2 earnings, which undoubtedly will more accurately reflect the impact of the global economic shutdown. Tomorrow we have Tesla, Facebook and Apple. Have a great evening!
