Oct 28, 2026 · 32 min
Stocks edge higher as chip leadership returns and earnings split
Indexes Edge Higher As Fed Stands Pat: Brinker, Medpace, Iovance In Focus
The episode weighs improving market participation against sharp divergences in technology earnings and a looming inflation catalyst.
- 1The Nasdaq remains near moving-average resistance while the S&P 500 continues recovering and broader participation improves.
- 2Brinker, MedPace, and Iovance offer distinct setups spanning a repaired breakout, a group-leading breakout, and a tight pattern.
- 3Microsoft’s strength contrasts with Alphabet, Fortinet, and ServiceNow weakness, raising questions about technology-sector spillover.
Don't miss
The discussion of Iovance’s advance from roughly $5 to $15 and its tight pattern ahead of earnings provides the clearest high-risk, high-interest setup.
The brief
Alissa Coram and Ken Shreve assess a modestly higher session: the S&P 500 keeps recovering, while Nasdaq resistance and small-cap performance reveal a less settled market.
Oracle’s bullish revenue outlook and investor-day commentary sharpen the case for renewed chip leadership, while the equal-weighted S&P 500 ETF points to improving participation.
The stock setups span three different stories: Brinker is repairing a failed breakout, MedPace is leading its medical-research group, and Iovance has formed a tight pattern after a powerful advance.
After-hours trading splits sharply: Microsoft benefits from stronger Azure growth despite lower free cash flow, while Alphabet, Fortinet, and ServiceNow fall on sector-specific concerns.
The hosts connect weakness in software, cybersecurity, and chip equipment to broader spillover risk, with upcoming inflation data offering the next major market test.
What was said on this episode
10 statements · 7 positive · 2 negative · 1 neutral
The Fed will probably raise rates at its December meeting
“We'll probably get a rate increase at the December meeting”
Listen at 4:33
Biotech stocks continue to perform well
“the biotechs, we'll take a look at one in just a little bit, but biotechs continue to act pretty well here.”
Listen at 9:46
Brinker may approach $250 and resume its upward move
“We'll see if it can get closer to that 250 level and see if it can form a base and eventually continue its move higher.”
Listen at 14:01
Brinker is a strong growth stock worth watching
“I think it's a good name to watch here just for just a really good, steady track record of growth and really another outstanding earnings report from the company.”
Listen at 14:26
MedPace has long been a leader among contract research organizations
“MedPace has been a longtime leader in this space”
Listen at 16:33
Iovance is not certain to double from its current price
“It doesn't mean that it's destined to double from here.”
Listen at 19:50
Microsoft Azure growth exceeded expectations
“That was much better than expected.”
Listen at 22:46
OpenAI and Anthropic will use Alphabet's AI chips
“OpenAI is going to be using the chips along with Anthropic.”
Listen at 26:13
Alphabet's AI chips will become a meaningful revenue stream
“this is going to be a nice revenue stream for Alphabet”
Listen at 26:18
Large declines in Fortinet and ServiceNow could spill over into software
“one could imagine a little bit of a spillover, perhaps, into software.”
Listen at 30:01
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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