Catalyst Calendar - August 04, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Today's Catalyst Results How did scheduled events play out? - **Palantir Technologies (PLTR)** - Result: Delivered a blowout Q2 earnings report with accelerating revenue growth and raised full-year outlook. Analysts from UBS and Mizuho raised price targets to $220 and $215 respectively. Market reaction: Palantir stock soared 27%, sparking a broad relief rally across AI chipmakers and lifting related stocks such as Broadcom (AVGO) by over 4%. - **Caterpillar (CAT)** - Result: Reported record quarterly revenue and raised 2026 sales growth target amid strong demand driven by data center expansion. Market reaction: Caterpillar shares jumped 9-10%, helping lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 800 points and contributing to new record highs in the S&P 500 and Dow. - **AMD (AMD)** - Result: Beat Q2 2026 earnings estimates with revenue climbing 50% and data center sales doubling, though the stock reversed after hours. Market reaction: Despite the beat, AMD stock dropped modestly post-earnings, reflecting cautious investor sentiment on sustainability of growth. - **SpaceX** - Result: Reported a monster Q2 revenue beat with 92% revenue rise in its debut earnings report, but stock valuation concerns remain due to AI-related costs and bitcoin holdings losses. Market reaction: SpaceX shares climbed 4% in regular trading but remain volatile given mixed outlook. - **Ford (F)** - Result: July U.S. auto sales declined 10.2%, considered sluggish. Market reaction: Ford shares traded lower Tuesday afternoon, pressured by disappointing sales figures. - **Pinterest (PINS)** - Result: Q2 revenue beat but issued slower quarterly revenue growth guidance amid rising ad competition. Market reaction: Shares fell after hours despite earnings beat, reflecting investor concerns over growth outlook. - **Booking Holdings (BKNG)** - Result: Beat Q2 earnings expectations and announced a record buyback program. Market reaction: Booking shares climbed following the earnings release, supported by strong fundamentals despite warning of Middle East pressures. - **Qualys (QLYS)** - Result: Topped Q2 estimates and lifted outlook. Market reaction: Cybersecurity stock climbed on strong results and positive guidance. - **BlackLine (BL)** - Result: Beat Q2 earnings estimates but shares fell after hours, possibly due to profit-taking or concerns on future guidance. - **Paylocity (PCTY)** - Result: Beat revenue estimates in Q4 2026, shares rose. - **Opendoor (OPEN)** - Result: Missed Q2 estimates, shares fell after hours. - **Freshworks (FRSH)** - Result: Topped Q2 revenue forecast, shares edged lower, indicating mixed investor sentiment. - **Amgen (AMGN)** - Result: Beat Q2 2026 estimates with six growth drivers fueling a 10% revenue beat; raised sales outlook by $1 billion. Market reaction: Shares showed strength on the back of robust growth and raised guidance. - **Hinge Health (HING)** - Result: Margins expanded and unveiled GI expansion; topped Q2 estimates but shares slipped after hours. - **ATEC (Alphatec Holdings)** - Result: Profitability growth outpaced revenue gains; topped Q2 revenue forecast and lifted profit outlook. - **Marathon Petroleum (MPC)** - Result: Q2 earnings call highlighted $8.5B EBITDA and 112% capture rate; topped estimates. - **Cricut (CRCT)** - Result: Profit surged masking revenue decline. - **Revolve Group (RVLV)** - Result: Sales jumped 12%, customer growth accelerated. - **Custom Truck (CTBI)** - Result: T&D super cycle drives record results. - **Spotify (SPOT)** - Result: Missed earnings goal and forecast weak profit as user growth slows; stock fell. - **Snap (SNAP)** - Result: Q2 earnings beat on improving ad sales; stock jumped 6%. - **Xometry (XMTR)** - Result: Q2 revenue growth accelerated to 41% YoY; raised outlook. - **Zebra Technologies (ZBRA)** - Result: Reported record results and raised outlook on AI momentum; stock jumped 20%. - **Sandisk (SNDK)** - Result: Shares jumped 8% after Wall Street raised price targets on AI memory boom despite recent 47% tumble in July. - **Entegris (ENTG)** - Result: Q2 AI demand drives margin expansion and debt reduction. - **Leidos (LDOS)** - Result: Lifted annual forecasts on strong defense demand. - **HSBC (HSBC)** - Result: Q2 profit jumped 23%, launched $1 billion buyback; modest beat as all units exceeded return targets. - **Westlake Chemical (WLK)** - Result: Q2 profitability surged on higher pricing; shares rose nearly 3%. - **Timken (TKR)** - Result: Strong Q2 beat and raised guidance amid transformation. - **BioNTech (BNTX)** - Result: Q2 revenue fell, shares slipped premarket. - **Pfizer (PFE)** - Result: Beat quarterly estimates, raised 2026 sales outlook by $500 million on strength of non-Covid products; also targeted $2.5 billion in additional cost cuts. - **Merck (MRK)** - Result: Posted better-than-expected Q2 results on Keytruda strength; hiked revenue outlook but cut profit guidance due to deal charges. - **Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP)** - Result: Beat Q2 estimates on profit and revenue; shares slipped premarket. - **McDonald's (MCD)** - Result: Posted strong Q2 profit but U.S. same-store sales growth slowed; named new U.S. president. - **Energy Transfer (ET)** - Result: Q2 EBITDA surged 31%, guidance raised. - **Nedbank Group (NDBKY)** - Result: Q2 profit beats low bar, stock jumps 6.3%. - **Apollo Global Management (APO)** - Result: Q2 earnings missed by $0.08 but revenue topped estimates. - **Caterpillar (CAT)** - Result: Record $20.5 billion revenue, backlog soars. - **Broadridge Financial Solutions (BR)** - Result: Quarterly profit climbs on investor communications strength; beat estimates on earnings and revenue. - **Xtrackers** - Result: Announced dividends across 42 ETF share classes. - **Hillman Solutions (HLMN)** - Result: Q2 revenue beat drives raised outlook; $315 million deal announced. - **Kimco Realty (KIM)** - Result: Record occupancy drives 4.5% FFO growth. - **Tanger (SKT)** - Result: Earnings beat by $0.04, revenue topped estimates. - **EOG Resources (EOG)** - Result: Earnings beat by $0.08, revenue topped estimates. - **Talos Energy (TALO)** - Result: Earnings beat by $0.25, revenue topped estimates. - **Alphatec Holdings (ATEC)** - Result: Topped Q2 revenue forecast, lifted profit outlook. - **Snap (SNAP)** - Result: Q2 earnings beat on improving ad sales; shares jumped 6%. - **Spotify (SPOT)** - Result: Missed earnings goal and forecast weak profit; shares fell. - **Revvity (RVTY)** - Result: Earnings beat by $0.20, revenue topped estimates; stock jumped. - **Qualys (QLYS)** - Result: Earnings and revenue topped estimates; stock climbed. - **BlackLine (BL)** - Result: Earnings beat but shares fell after hours. - **Opendoor (OPEN)** - Result: Missed Q2 estimates; shares fell after hours. - **Freshworks (FRSH)** - Result: Topped Q2 revenue forecast; shares edged lower. - **Hinge Health (HING)** - Result: Margins expanded; topped Q2 estimates but shares slipped after hours. - **Amgen (AMGN)** - Result: Beat Q2 estimates; raised sales outlook by $1 billion. - **Marathon Petroleum (MPC)** - Result: $8.5B EBITDA, 112% capture; topped estimates. - **Cricut (CRCT)** - Result: Profit surged masking revenue decline. - **Revolve Group (RVLV)** - Result: Sales jumped 12%, customer growth accelerated. - **Custom Truck (CTBI)** - Result: T&D super cycle drives record results. ## Surprise News Today Unexpected developments that moved markets: - **Palantir Technologies (PLTR)** - Analysts rushed to raise price targets after a blowout quarter, with UBS and Mizuho raising targets to $220 and $215 respectively. The stock soared 27%, far outpacing peers and sparking a relief rally across AI chipmakers. - **SpaceX** - Despite a strong Q2 revenue beat and 92% revenue rise, the stock remains under pressure due to concerns over AI costs and bitcoin holdings losses, highlighting valuation challenges for the high-growth space company. - **Ford (F)** - Shares fell sharply after a 10.2% decline in July U.S. auto sales, surprising investors with sluggish demand despite overall market strength. - **Pinterest (PINS)** - Shares fell after hours despite beating revenue estimates, as the company warned of slower revenue growth amid intensifying ad competition, catching investors off guard. - **Sandisk (SNDK)** - Shares jumped 8% after a recent 47% tumble in July, driven by Wall Street raising price targets on the AI memory boom, signaling renewed optimism in semiconductor memory stocks. ## After-Hours Catalysts Earnings and events happening tonight: - **SpaceX (Private)** - Investors will closely watch the follow-up to the initial Q2 earnings report, focusing on AI cost management, Starlink growth, and potential impact on Tesla merger plans and share lockup expiration. - **Oklo (OKLO)** - Earnings report due Aug. 7; watch for updates on nuclear energy projects and financial outlook. - **Qualys (QLYS)** - Continued market reaction to Q2 earnings beat and outlook lift. - **BlackLine (BL)** - Monitor after-hours trading following earnings beat but share price decline. - **Paylocity (PCTY)** - Watch for further guidance and revenue updates post-Q4 2026 beat. - **Opendoor (OPEN)** - Market reaction to Q2 miss and strategic outlook. - **Freshworks (FRSH)** - Investor sentiment on Q2 results and outlook. - **Hinge Health (HING)** - Post-earnings margin expansion and growth strategy updates. - **Amgen (AMGN)** - Follow-up on raised sales outlook and growth drivers. ## Tomorrow's Calendar Key events scheduled for tomorrow: - **Oklo Earnings Report** - Time: Aug. 7 - Watch for: Nuclear energy project updates and financial guidance. - **Additional Semiconductor Earnings** - Time: Throughout the day - Watch for: Continued momentum in AI chip sector following recent strong rallies. ## This Week Ahead Other catalysts coming this week: - No specific dates mentioned beyond Aug. 7 for Oklo earnings and ongoing semiconductor reports. ## Highest Conviction Setup Based on today's action and upcoming catalysts: - Stock: **$PLTR** - Catalyst: Strong Q2 earnings beat, raised full-year outlook, and multiple analyst price target upgrades. - Thesis: Palantir’s accelerating commercial revenue growth and AI-driven demand position it as a key beneficiary of the AI boom, supported by broad market enthusiasm for AI chipmakers and software platforms. The stock’s strong momentum and analyst support suggest further upside potential despite valuation concerns. --- The market continues to be driven by strong earnings from AI-related tech and semiconductor companies, with Palantir and Caterpillar leading gains. Investors are digesting mixed signals from companies like AMD and SpaceX, balancing growth beats with valuation and cost concerns. Meanwhile, traditional sectors such as autos face headwinds, exemplified by Ford's sales miss. Watch for continued earnings flow and geopolitical developments around the Iran talks and yen intervention, which may influence market direction in the near term.