• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock

2

‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion

3

'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic

1

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock

2

‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion

3

'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
Finance

‘Not that bad’: Earnings season kicks off with the S&P 500 rising 3%

Anne Sraders
By
Anne Sraders
Anne Sraders
Down Arrow Button Icon
Anne Sraders
By
Anne Sraders
Anne Sraders
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 14, 2020, 5:54 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Earnings season kicked off amid a tumultuous coronavirus news backdrop on Tuesday—but markets seemed somewhat pleasantly surprised by the numbers.

Markets have been on an optimistic streak as of late, with the Dow and S&P 500 rallying over 20% in recent weeks, closing 2.4% and 3% higher on Tuesday, respectively. Among the news buoying markets? An initial slew of “not that bad” earnings reports, according to Brad McMillan, CIO for Commonwealth Financial Network.

Johnson & Johnson jumped over 4% to close at better-than-expected earnings, while other names like JPMorgan Chase, albeit taking a beating on profits, showed resilient revenue growth (and even posted record trading revenues, up 32% from the year prior). New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that coronavirus-related deaths in the state are leveling off—a key sign investors have been watching for guidance.

Earnings-wise, Randy Frederick, the vice president of trading and derivatives at Charles Schwab, thinks since guidance has been so unreliable (and, in some cases, withdrawn), “that sets up a lot of these companies for big price moves, either up or down.” He’s expecting big swings in names that have either benefitted from the virus, or been crushed because of it, Frederick notes.

But for those like McMillan, this earnings season “is kind of the calm before the storm,” he tells Fortune. “Earnings haven’t come in as badly as expected, there’s something for the bulls to look at, there’s something for the bears to say, ‘okay it’s not that bad,’ but the reality is, this is all backwards-looking.”

Take Q1 earnings with a grain of salt

For some standout companies like Johnson & Johnson, Q1 earnings meant a nice stock pop during the day. But analysts largely agree that earnings this time around aren’t business as usual.

Typically, after roughly a quarter of the companies report for any given earnings season, markets will “have a pretty good feel for how that season is going to play out. But this is not a normal season,” Frederick tells Fortune. In fact, he suggests earnings are going to be a lot more company-specific than normal (“we can’t count on the earnings season in general to be either positive or negative for the market”).

For McMillan, investors likely won’t be able to have meaningful visibility into what earnings mean “at least for the next couple quarters.” In fact, for him, “Q1 earnings are going to reflect the pre-virus world, Q2 is going to reflect scorched earth.”

As investors track earnings this week, Frederick suggest they listen to earnings calls for any guidance from execs that can be useful.

The worst is yet to come

And it’s clear to experts that Q2 will hold the most grisly numbers.

Some firms are predicting over 30% plunges in GDP for Q2, and unemployment data is looking grim—with about 17 million Americans out of a job in the past three weeks alone, according to data.

Markets haven’t seemed too perturbed by the news (in fact, markets rose last Thursday when the latest jobless numbers came out). For Mark Hamrick, Bankrate.com’s senior economic analyst, that indicates that markets have been in “shock trauma mode.”

Yet forecasts for double-digit quarterly declines in GDP have been circulating for a while now, and Hamrick believes “investors broadly have assimilated dismal scenarios into their own expectations.” Yet, he points out, “we know that there’s still a long way to go both for the economy and the health crisis.”

And finding a new bottom is looking less and less likely coming off the over 20% pop markets have seen in recent weeks. In fact, while Frederick wouldn’t be surprised to see markets test a 2,400 level, he notes that “Every day that we go further and further from that low point, both in terms of the calendar and point-wise, the less likely it is we’ll go back down and test it.”

“The market doesn’t care about what’s happening today, the market is thinking about where are things going to be six months from now—Are we going to be in a better spot than we are now? And the market says, yeah, it thinks that we are,” according to Frederick.

To others less optimistic about the markets’ newfound confidence, like McMillan, “right now we’re in the relief rally from the initial pullback.” He notes we haven’t seen much of the impact from the job losses in confidence, in spending, or business investment yet. “So when the markets are saying, ‘okay we’re good,’ I’m saying, you don’t even know what’s coming.”

There are plenty more companies reporting earnings this week, and investors need to keep in mind: “If companies get crushed in Q1 from the virus issues, it’s likely things will get worse in Q2,” Frederick notes.

As for markets, Hamrick likens it to boxing: “It’s a little like investors have gotten up from the mat of the boxing ring having been nearly knocked out and realizing they can see again,” he says. “It’s within the context of having weathered significant body blows.”

More must-read finance coverage from Fortune:

—Are SBA small business loans running out? What we know so far
—CEOs David Solomon and Brian Moynihan stand alone on Wall Street—literally
—College educated investors may be more likely to fall for coronavirus scams
—Stocks have gained 25% since their March lows—but the math doesn’t add up
—How Fortune 500 companies are utilizing their resources and expertise during the pandemic
—Listen to Leadership Next, a Fortune podcast examining the evolving role of CEO
—VIDEO: 401(k) withdrawal penalties waived for anyone hurt by COVID-19

Subscribe to Fortune’s Bull Sheet for no-nonsense finance news and analysis daily.

About the Author
Anne Sraders
By Anne Sraders
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Finance

Welder on a navy boat
SuccessCareers
Jamie Dimon says six-figure shipyard jobs are the new ‘American Dream’—but candidates will need to endure hours of extreme heat, cold, and rain
By Preston ForeJuly 21, 2026
2 hours ago
Knicks star Jalen Brunson
SuccessPersonal Finance
Despite a $156 million contract, Knicks star Jalen Brunson still calls his parents for financial advice any time he makes a big purchase
By Emma BurleighJuly 21, 2026
3 hours ago
Current price of gold as of July 21, 2026
Personal Financegold prices
Current price of gold as of July 21, 2026
By Danny BakstJuly 21, 2026
5 hours ago
va
North AmericaWhite House
HUD suspends disaster funding to U.S. Virgin Islands housing authority, saying mismanagement has kept $1.3 billion from hurricane survivors
By Danica Coto and The Associated PressJuly 21, 2026
5 hours ago
kalshi
CryptoKalshi
Kalshi’s ‘chronically online’ war room figured out World Cup virality — and realized AI might be bringing back the monoculture
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 21, 2026
5 hours ago
fuel
North AmericaWhite House
Trump’s $3.47 ‘Freedom Fuel’ gas network leans on an NFL kicking coach, a GOP fundraiser and a N.J. entrepreneur with a fuel theft rap sheet
By Brian Slodysko, Michael Biesecker, Josh Boak and The Associated PressJuly 21, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock
Success
Mark Cuban says he has the solution to growing income inequality, and it's to reward every employee—from CEO to janitor—with company stock
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
Success
‘I want to die broke’: Billionaire philanthropist Denny Sanford dies after giving away $4 billion
By Sydney LakeJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
AI
'Dr. Doom' Nouriel Roubini says we're headed for universal basic income or 'some form of socialism' as AI revolutionizes work—He calls that optimistic
By Jason MaJuly 18, 2026
3 days ago
Current price of silver as of Monday, July 20, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, July 20, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
It’s not just Taco Bell lettuce and possible glass in Pillsbury rolls: Food and drink recall events reached a 6-year year-over-year high
Retail
It’s not just Taco Bell lettuce and possible glass in Pillsbury rolls: Food and drink recall events reached a 6-year year-over-year high
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago
The Treasury is walking a tightrope on U.S. debt by relying so much on short-term rates that are at the mercy of a suddenly very hawkish Fed
Economy
The Treasury is walking a tightrope on U.S. debt by relying so much on short-term rates that are at the mercy of a suddenly very hawkish Fed
By Jason MaJuly 20, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.