As the U.S. reduces a wide range of tariffs in what seems to be an effort to essentially stop trade between the U.S. and China, the market closes out a week that will go down in history. Consequently, it is anticipated that the major U.S. ports will be quite quiet in the upcoming months. According to the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates’ Global Port Tracker research, container freight volume to U.S. ports is expected to drop by 23% in June as compared to January.
Ben Hackett, the founder of Hackett Associates, stated in a news release that “our forecast for import cargo will be subject to significant adjustments over the coming months in this environment of complete uncertainty.” “As of right now, we anticipate that imports will start to decline by May and then drop significantly for the rest of the year.”
Throughout the upcoming reporting season, news on how businesses intend to handle the shifting pylons of the trade war will be a major focus.In addition to a few more blue chips and several of India’s biggest banks, Netflix (NFLX) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) are scheduled to report in the upcoming week.
Stocks To Watch: A Few Watchlist-Worthy Names
The stock market is still quite news-driven and volatile as it attempts to stabilize. Investors want to establish watchlists of stocks that exhibit robust relative strength and form wholesome chart patterns.The following companies meet the criteria: Howmet Aerospace (HWM), Bowhead Specialty (BOW), Life Time Group (LTH), Spotify (SPOT), and TJX (TJX). Insurer Bowhead has found strong technical support and has retreated to a buy point. Howmet, TJX, Life Time, and Spotify are all in a bad spot. Following a four-day surge that saw it rise back above support at its 50-day moving average, TJX traded just over its buy point on Friday. Tariffs had little effect on all but Howmet.
Trade Policy: Keeping Tabs On The Tariff War
As the U.S. unleashed its full barrage of trade war tariffs over the past week, the world economy trembled. Following some back and forth, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on all steel, aluminum, automobiles, and some auto components, and 10% taxes on all imported products at the end of the week. A 145% tax is now applied to all Chinese goods entering the United States. All imports not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are subject to a 25% duty paid by Canada and Mexico. Additionally, those two nations are subject to a 10% energy and potash tariff. A 125% charge on imports into China is one of the tariffs imposed on the United States. All U.S. imports that are not covered by the USMCA are subject to a 25% tariff from Canada.
Economic Calendar: Keeping A Close Eye On Jobless Claims
Initial jobless claims may be the first indicator of the rapidly evolving effects of Trump’s tariffs on the economy, so Thursday’s weekly data is crucial to keep an eye on. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Fed survey on Thursday and the Empire State manufacturing survey, which is released on Tuesday, can potentially show signs of deterioration. According to the most recent data, at least through March, the tariffs have hurt confidence but not necessarily economic activity. Auto purchases prior to the imposition of tariffs are expected to drive a robust 1.4% monthly increase in retail sales, which are due on Wednesday. Sales that do not include cars and petrol are expected to increase by a solid 0.5%. The NAHB Housing Market Index is also scheduled to be released this week on Wednesday morning.
Earnings Season: Netflix Mum On Subscribers
In its Q1 results, which were released late Thursday, Netflix will for the first time ever not disclose quarterly membership figures, instead focusing on revenue and operating margin. Analysts predict that the streaming leader will report a 12% increase in sales and an 8% increase in profitability year over year. Its sales and earnings growth would be at its slowest point in seven quarters.
Health Care: Headwinds Turn To Tailwinds
Early on Thursday, UnitedHealth Group releases its Q1 earnings. According to FactSet, the Dow Jones health care behemoth is expected to report earnings per share (EPS) of $7.29, up 5.5% from a year earlier, on revenue growth of 11.8% to $111.57 billion. Benefits as a percentage of premiums, or the medical cost ratio, is 86%. Following a sharp decline following news of a Medicare billing investigation, UNH stock has experienced a remarkable recovery, rising almost 28% since February 21. The Trump administration just announced a 5.1% rate hike for Medicare Advantage in 2026, which is significantly higher than the Biden administration’s suggested rate. Additionally, health care is supported as a defensive strategy that is exempt from tariffs.
Dow Jones: Travelers Retakes Support Ahead Of Earnings
In the coming week, the Dow industrials begin to delve into the results schedule. Along with UnitedHealth, other companies that have to report include American Express (AXP), Travelers (TRV), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and Goldman Sachs (GS). It is anticipated that AmEx and Goldman Sachs’ earnings growth would decrease. Analysts predict a single-digit drop from J&J and a sharp 83% drop in Travelers’ earnings. J&J and Travelers have managed to stay above their recent lows on the chart thus far.
International: India Banks Show Chart Strength
The upcoming week will see the release of results from a number of leading Indian stocks. IT consultants Wipro (WIT) and software engineer Infosys (INFY) provide reports on the technical side. Additionally, HDFC Bank (HDB) and Icici Bank (IBN), two of the top three banks in the nation. All but Infosys have marginally favorable earnings targets. Both Icici and HDFC are firmly opposed to buy points in cup-with-handle bases. This year, India’s benchmark Sensex index has lost less than 4% of its value. In the current economic crisis, India’s consumer-driven economy is often viewed as a strength.
Alaska Air (ALK) is expected to release its Q1 results on Thursday, while United Airlines (UAL) will do so early on Wednesday. After losing 15 cents per share the previous year, analysts predict that United’s earnings will increase to 74 cents per share. It is anticipated that revenue will rise 5.6% to $13.24 billion. According to FactSet, Alaska Air will record a loss of 77 cents per share, down from 92 cents the previous year. Revenue is expected to increase 41% to $3.17 billion, according to analysts.
Q4 results are released by Albertsons (ACI) on Tuesday. anticipates a 17% drop in profitability and a 2% increase in revenue. The main focus will be on the effects of tariffs and specifics of the company’s case against Kroger (KR), which claims deficiencies in its efforts to obtain a $25 billion merger. Since October, shares have increased by nearly 18% and by 8% thus far this year.
Following Wednesday’s market close, Kinder Morgan (KMI) releases its first-quarter sales and results. According to analyst estimate, quarterly profits will increase by 1 to 35 cents per share, while sales will rise by 6% to $4.08 billion. In 2025, Kinder Morgan’s stock has down 5%, while the industry group that is tracked by IBD has fallen more than 7% for the year. Since oil prices are falling and the tariff-hit economy is expected to stall, analysts will be seeking opinions on oil consumption.
Prior to the opening of the stock market on Wednesday, Abbott Laboratories (ABT) is scheduled to release its first-quarter financial results. The medical giant is expected to announce adjusted earnings of $1.07 per share on $10.4 billion in sales, up around 9% and 4%, respectively, according to analysts polled by FactSet. So far this year, ABT’s stock has increased by 13%.
