In the latest update from the financial markets, a variety of key indicators and company performances are shaping the outlook.
Jobless Claims Update
The latest jobless claims report is set to be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, with experts predicting a consensus figure of 220,000. Live commentary will feature on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” from prominent hosts Becky Quick, Joe Kernen, and Andrew Ross Sorkin, providing real-time reactions to the numbers.
Canadian Banks on the Radar
Three major banks from Canada are poised to report their earnings before the market opens on Thursday. The Bank of Montreal has seen its shares rise by 3% over the past three months, now hovering just under 4% from a recent peak on September 29. The Canadian Imperial Bank is also in focus, having appreciated by 11% since its last earnings announcement. Although shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday, the stock ended the day slightly down by less than 1%. Toronto-Dominion Bank will round out the trio, boasting a 13% gain in the last three months, but also ending the day just down 0.2%.
Airlines Surge
The S&P Airlines Industry index is experiencing a notable uptick, having increased by 5.13% over the past three trading days. United Airlines shares have climbed 6% during this time and are currently 6.5% off their January high. Similarly, Delta Air Lines has increased by 5%, placing it 3.6% from its earlier peak this year. Southwest Airlines has seen an almost 3% rise, while JetBlue and American Airlines have recorded gains but still remain significantly behind their January highs.
Utility Sector Decline
Conversely, the utilities sector has taken a hit, dropping 3.4% so far this week and sitting 6% below its October high. Despite the recent downturn, the sector has shown resilience with an overall increase of 15% in 2025.
Semiconductor Stronghold
The semiconductor sector shows strength, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) up 4.8% this week and the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) climbing 6.2%. Companies like Microchip Technology, Intel, and NXP are leading the charge with gains around 20% in just a week. However, tech giants Nvidia and Broadcom are the outliers, with their shares down over the same period.
Earnings Reports Following the Bell
In earnings news, Ulta Beauty will report its results after the market closes. The company’s stock has risen 2.5% over the last three months, remaining less than 5% from its early October high. Cybersecurity firm SentinelOne is also expected to release its financials during “Closing Bell: Overtime.” Its stock has experienced a downward trend, down nearly 6% since last reporting and 38% year-over-year, although it has gained 5% in the past two days. Finally, ChargePoint, the electric vehicle charging station company, is set to report as well. It has struggled, with a 23% decline since its last report and a staggering 64% drop over the past year.
These developments illustrate the current landscape of the financial markets, showcasing significant movements in both earnings reports and sector performances as investors gear up for the developments expected in the upcoming trading sessions.
