Weekly Market Commentary

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WEEK OF APR. 27 THROUGH MAY. 1, 2026

The S&P 500 index rose 0.9% this week to another closing record high as the communication services sector led a broad climb amid better-than-expected earnings.

The S&P 500 ended Friday's session at 7,230.12 and reached a fresh intraday high of 7,272.52.

This marks the fifth consecutive weekly gain. On Thursday, the benchmark closed out April with a 10% jump that represented its largest monthly increase since November 2020. The index, which fell 5.1% in March, is now up 5.6% for 2026.

Large companies including Amazon.com (AMZN), Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL), Microsoft (MSFT) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results.

The communication services sector had the largest percentage increase of the week, climbing 4.5%, followed by a 3.2% rise in energy, a 1.1% gain in consumer staples and a 1% advance in real estate. Financials, utilities, health care, consumer discretionary, industrials and technology also edged higher.

Alphabet led the climb in communication services, with its shares jumping 12% on the week. Q1 results exceeded Wall Street's estimates as revenue for Google's cloud and services businesses climbed.

Verizon Communications (VZ) also boosted the communication services sector. The shares rose 3.7% as the company raised its full-year earnings outlook and reported a Q1 profit above market estimates.

The energy sector's advance came as crude oil futures remained elevated, with no end in sight for the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Phillips 66 (PSX) rose 8.2% as the company swung to a Q1 adjusted profit per share after analysts had forecast a loss.

Materials, the only sector that fell this week, shed 2%.

Newmont (NEM) had the largest weekly loss in the materials sector with the shares down 10% even as Q1 adjusted earnings per share and revenue topped Wall Street estimates. The company said it is on track to achieve its 2026 production outlook of 5.3 million attributable gold ounces.

Next week's earnings calendar features Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Walt Disney (DIS), McDonald's (MCD), Arista Networks (ANET) and Palantir Technologies (PLTR).

The focal point of the economic data calendar will be the government's release of monthly jobs data on Friday. Other data due next week include new home sales and construction spending for February and March, as well as the first reading of consumer sentiment for May.

Provided by MT Newswires.