The fourth quarter earnings season kicks into high gear this week, with Big Tech results from Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), Tesla (TSLA), and Apple (AAPL) headlining the earnings calendar.
An optimistic consensus is forming: As of Jan. 23, 13% of S&P 500 (^GSPC) companies have reported fourth quarter results, according to FactSet data, and Wall Street analysts estimate an 8.2% increase in earnings per share for the fourth quarter. If that rate holds, it would represent the 10th consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth for the index.
Heading into the reporting period, analysts were expecting an 8.3% jump in earnings per share, down from the third quarter’s 13.6% earnings growth rate. Wall Street has raised its earnings expectations in recent months, especially for tech companies, which have driven earnings growth in recent quarters.
Although Big Tech continues to set the tone, this earnings season promises to test the improved stock market breadth that has emerged at the start of 2026. Plus, the themes that drove the markets in 2025 — artificial intelligence, the Trump administration’s tariff and economic policies, and a K-shaped consumer economy — will continue to provide plenty for investors to parse.
In addition to the reports from four of the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks, Wall Street will receive updates from a wide swath of companies across the economy, including UnitedHealth (UNH), Boeing (BA), General Motors (GM), IBM (IBM), Starbucks (SBUX), Levi Strauss (LEVI), Visa (V), American Express (AXP), Mastercard (MA), Caterpillar (CAT), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), AT&T (T), and Verizon (VZ),
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Capital One announces plans to acquire fintech Brex for $5.15 billion
Capital One (COF) stock slid in extended trading hours after the financial company announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire fintech company Brex Inc. for $5.15 billion in 50% cash and 50% stock.
Brex provides business credit cards, spending accounts, and expense management software. The acquisition is Capital One’s latest expansion into fintech after it bought Discover for $35 billion last year.
News of the deal came as Capital One reported fourth quarter earnings that beat expectations. The Virginia-based company reported earnings per share of $3.26 per share, beating estimates of $3.23, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Total net revenue increased 1% year over year to $15.6 billion, also coming in above estimates for $15.4 billion in revenue.
“Our fourth quarter and full year results reflect solid top line growth and strong and stable credit performance” CEO Richard D. Fairbank said in a statement. “Years of strategic preparation and our choices to consistently invest to sustain long-term growth and returns enable our results and put us in a strong position going forward. I’m struck by the number and quality of the opportunities we have before us.”
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