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Jay Woods flags IBM, ServiceNow and Intel as key S&P 500 earnings this week after the index slipped below its 50‑day average, with IBM down 25% on a miss and
IBM, ServiceNow and Intel are the three S&P 500 names Jay Woods says will shape market direction as roughly 80 constituents report results, including Alphabet and Tesla [1]. The focus comes after the S&P 500 closed below its 50‑day moving average for the second time since April and has not topped its early‑June record high [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| S&P 500 50‑day MA status | Below average (second time since April) [1] |
| IBM drop after preliminary miss | 25% worst‑day ever [1] |
| ServiceNow price vs. 50‑day MA | Around $103, near 50‑day line [1] |
| Intel 50‑day MA level | Near $117 [1] |
Jay Woods, chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets, notes that IBM’s earnings are due Wednesday afternoon. The company suffered a 25% plunge on Tuesday after a preliminary report missed both revenue and earnings expectations, marking its worst day on record [1]. Woods sees a “potential relief rally” if the stock can recover some of those losses, implying traders will watch for price action around the 50‑day moving average.
ServiceNow, also reporting Wednesday, has slid about 30% this year and sits at its 50‑day moving average near $103, with the 200‑day average around $128.40 [1]. Woods points to the historical pattern that strong rallies often begin under the 200‑day line, citing a June rally as precedent, and suggests the stock could climb to $125 on positive news [1].
Intel’s earnings are scheduled for Thursday. The chipmaker is down more than 30% from its late‑June peak [1]. Woods believes a beat could push the stock back toward its 50‑day moving average at $117, making the earnings release a potential catalyst for a broader tech bounce [1].
The earnings week carries added weight because the broader market is already under pressure. The S&P 500’s dip below its 50‑day moving average signals a technical weakness that could amplify reactions to corporate results [1]. In addition to the three highlighted names, the week includes macro releases such as the consumer price index and producer price index, which Woods says will “really dictate where the Fed goes from here” [2]. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s congressional testimony also looms, adding further uncertainty to the market backdrop [2].
The three earnings reports could either provide relief for a market that has slipped below key technical levels or reinforce the bearish momentum if results miss expectations. How each stock reacts will be a barometer for broader S&P 500 sentiment heading into the upcoming inflation data and Fed testimony.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 6 outlets · Jul 23, 2026 · How we report
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