Schwab Market Update Audio
Schwab Market Update Audio

Oct 29, 2026 · 12 min

Markets weigh tech earnings against the Fed’s next signal

Market Mulls Alphabet, Microsoft, Fed Before PCE

The episode frames a concentrated test for markets as technology results, monetary policy, and inflation data converge.

3 key takeaways
  1. 1Investors balance strong Microsoft results against disappointing Alphabet earnings ahead of another major technology report.
  2. 2The Federal Reserve’s rate pause remains central to expectations as markets await fresh economic evidence.
  3. 3GDP and PCE inflation data could reshape the market narrative after a crowded earnings and policy session.

Don't miss

The clearest market tension emerges from strong Microsoft results colliding with disappointing Alphabet earnings ahead of Amazon’s report.

The brief

Thursday’s market outlook centers on a rare convergence: major technology earnings, a Federal Reserve rate decision, and incoming GDP and PCE inflation data.

Microsoft’s strong results support the technology trade, while disappointing Alphabet earnings introduce a counterweight just as investors assess broader market resilience.

The Federal Reserve’s pause keeps monetary policy in focus, with upcoming economic data likely to influence how investors interpret the decision.

Amazon’s expected results provide the next major test, extending the earnings debate beyond the contrasting signals from Microsoft and Alphabet.

The episode’s central tension is whether strong pockets of technology demand can offset weaker results and renewed uncertainty around rates and inflation.

What was said on this episode

6 statements · 2 positive · 3 negative · 1 neutral

  1. Keith Lansfordon Federal Reserve December rate hikeNegative1:08

    Markets widely expect the Fed to hike rates in December

    “the market widely expects it to hike rates”

    Listen at 1:08

  2. Keith Lansfordon Federal Reserve December rate hikeNegative2:07

    Futures imply an 85% probability of a 25-basis-point December hike

    “After the meeting, futures trading put odds of a 25 basis point rate hike in December at 85%”

    Listen at 2:07

  3. Keith Lansfordon AmazonNeutral4:14

    Amazon earnings will likely focus on AI demand and monetization

    “AI demand and monetization will likely be in focus once again when Amazon delivers results”

    Listen at 4:14

  4. Keith Lansfordon AmazonPositive4:24

    Amazon is expected to report $1.96 EPS and $202.3 billion revenue

    “Earnings per share are expected to be $1.96 on revenue of $202.3 billion, up 12.29% year-over-year.”

    Listen at 4:24

  5. Keith Lansfordon AmazonPositive4:58

    Amazon remains the leading cloud provider

    “Amazon remains the cloud leader”

    Listen at 4:58

  6. “anything above that has a chance of pushing treasure yields higher”

    Listen at 7:08

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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