Mega-Cap Earnings Week Opens With AI, Oil in Focus

Biggest Story: Alphabet Kicks Off Earnings Season

The most closely watched event this week is GOOGL reporting after today's close. Investors want hard numbers on AI revenue contribution from the $2 trillion search giant. IBM and TXN also report today. The earnings wave continues all week — INTC, RTX, and TMUS report Wednesday, with AXP on Thursday.

Macro: Oil Jumps on Iran Risk

Crude oil rose past $95 after Trump threatened further Iran escalation, according to FT Markets. Goldman Sachs warned Brent could hit $120 if the Strait of Hormuz stays disrupted. The move will put energy costs back in the spotlight during this week's earnings calls. Defence names like LMT are likely to benefit from the geopolitical backdrop.

AI Forces Job Cuts

UBER cut 10% of its customer service workforce today. The company cited an "embrace" of AI as the reason. It is the latest sign that AI efficiency claims are translating into real headcount reductions across corporate America.

Short Sellers Dig In

Bears are not backing down from some of the most crowded trades. HTZ short interest hit 76.7% of free float — up 6.3 percentage points in a week. WOLF sits at 80.6% with zero available borrow. Meanwhile, chip options flow leans bullish. Semiconductor names like MXL saw nearly 95% of weekly options bets skewed positive.

Europe: Defence, Bonds, Yen Watch

European stocks slid broadly but defence names rallied after Ukraine ratified a €105 billion EU loan deal. Japanese government bond yields rose sharply, with the yen falling below ¥163 to the dollar — the weakest level in nearly 40 years. Big bond investors warned of a potential "widow-maker trade" in sovereign debt.