Nasdaq 100 Forecast:
- The Nasdaq 100 continues to climb, boasting a 22% return in the year-to-date
- That said, the index could not have enjoyed such remarkable growth without key members like Microsoft and Tesla
- With earnings for both companies on the docket for Wednesday, traders will get a glimpse at whether current valuations are justified or entirely unfounded
Nasdaq 100 Outlook: Microsoft & Tesla Earnings Ahead, Beware of Bubbles
The Nasdaq 100 began the week with a remarkable performance from some of its largest components like Amazon and Microsoft, seemingly without a direct catalyst. The price action was yet another example of recent strength amongst the leaders of the technology sector, a theme which has propelled the Nasdaq 100 to the cutting edge of speculative risk appetite. Now, however, earnings from Microsoft and Tesla on Wednesday run the risk of cutting the party short if results reveal sobering truths.
Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, DAX 30 Forecasts for the Week & Earnings to Watch
Just last week, Netflix suffered such a fate, missing guidance estimates and earnings per share expectations. As a result, the stock cratered more than 10% in after-hours trading and has since continued lower. Further still, the poor performance from one of the Nasdaq’s high-flyers called into question the broader demand for such a limited number of stocks. Possessing a market cap of more than $1 trillion and a year-to-date gain of about 260% respectively, Microsoft and Tesla are two prime examples of possible exuberance in the current market.
Nasdaq 100 Price Chart Overlaid with Microsoft and Tesla Gains in the Year-to-Date
Chart created with TradingView
To that end, many analysts have warned of inflated asset prices and Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself argued the stock’s price was too high. The billionaire executive issued this claim on May 1. The stock has since climbed to roughly $1,570 from $750, to establish a gain of more than 100%. The company’s report on Wednesday may offer useful data necessary to justify such a remarkable climb.
A Brief History of Major Financial Bubbles, Crises and Flash-Crashes
Much of the same can be said for Microsoft, a trillion dollar company that has recorded increasing volatile trading sessions in recent weeks. While falling short of the extremes witnessed in Tesla’s share price, such price movement in shares of a company valued so highly is rather unusual and could hint at growing instability or emotion-filled trading. Either way, the coming reports could have a significant impact on tech sentiment and risk appetite alike.
Nasdaq 100 Price Chart: 4 – Hour Time Frame (April 2020 – July 2020)
Therefore, traders should track the coming results as a disappointing quarter from either stock could threaten to pull the punchbowl from the party, sending shares tumbling lower. With a series of break outs across risk assets, poor results from leading technology members might inhibit the risk appetite necessary for continuation, seeing growth-sensitive markets fall back beneath resistance one more. In the meantime, follow @PeterHanksFX on Twitter for updates and analysis.
--Written by Peter Hanks, Strategist for DailyFX.com
Contact and follow Peter on Twitter @PeterHanksFX
