Pre-market briefing Pre-Market Briefing — April 14, 2026
Today at a Glance
Market Sentiment
U.S. stock futures are opening slightly higher this morning. Nasdaq futures are leading at +0.48%, with S&P 500 futures +0.25% and Dow futures +0.17%. The rally is continuing after Monday's successful V-shaped reversal that absorbed the Strait of Hormuz blockade shock. Oil prices have dropped 2.3% to $96.83 per barrel on WTI, reflecting expectations of resumed U.S.-Iran dialogue (CNBC). Asian markets are also posting strong gains, with the Nikkei +2.43% and Kospi +2.74%, confirming a global risk-on flow (CNBC).
Today's Events
Today marks a Q1 earnings-season highlight. Before the bell, four major banks are reporting results simultaneously. JPMorgan ($JPM) consensus calls for EPS of $5.41 and revenue of $48.2B (+6.4% YoY), and the trading division's performance will be in focus after Goldman Sachs posted its largest-ever equity-trading quarter yesterday. Wells Fargo ($WFC) is expected at EPS $1.58 and revenue $21.8B (+8% YoY), while Citigroup ($C) consensus stands at EPS $2.63 and revenue $23.6B (+9% YoY) — both showing solid growth. BlackRock ($BLK) is also slated for a pre-market release, and following its announcement yesterday of an increased allocation to U.S. equities, attention will center on assets under management and net-inflow data.
On the economic-data front, the IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) April update is due at 09:00 ET. Global growth is expected to be revised slightly higher to 3.3%, but the report is also likely to flag risks from higher energy costs and trade fragmentation stemming from the Iran war.
Prior Session Recap
On Monday (4/13), U.S. equities overcame the Strait of Hormuz blockade shock to mark fresh highs since the start of the Iran war. The S&P 500 rose +1.02% (6,886.24), the Nasdaq +1.23%, and the Dow +0.63%. President Trump's comment that "Iran wants a deal" and Goldman Sachs CEO's diagnosis of excessive selling in software stocks drove the V-shaped reversal. Oracle ($ORCL) surged +12.7%, leading a software rally, and the technology sector (+2.1%) powered the broader market. The Fear & Greed Index stood at 41 (Fear), and the VIX edged down to 19.17. View prior session market summary
Stocks to Watch
JPMorgan ($JPM) — Q1 earnings are due before the open today. Following Goldman Sachs' record-breaking equity-trading quarter yesterday, market focus is squarely on JPMorgan's trading and investment-banking results. Consensus EPS $5.41 and revenue $48.2B.
Intel ($INTC) — At RSI 77.9, it is the most overbought stock among large-cap names. It has extended a steep rally since April, but profit-taking pressure could emerge from overheated levels.
AT&T ($T) — At RSI 27.4, it sits in deeply oversold territory. It fell -3.2% yesterday, leading weakness in the telecom sector, but a technical rebound setup is building. It is worth watching whether the risk-on rotation extends into defensive names. Technical signals report
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