What to Watch in the Day Ahead - Tuesday, April 21

Genuine Parts Co

20/04/2026 19:30

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The Senate Banking Committee is slated to hold a hearing on the nomination of Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve. (1000/1400) Later in the day, Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher Waller is slated to speak on "Modernizing Reserve Bank Operations" before the Brookings Institution, Washington. (1430/1830)

SpaceX is set to host Wall Street analysts for a three-day event as it advances preparations for what could become the largest initial public offering in history, according to people familiar with the matter. Analysts will be hosted at the company's Starbase facility in Texas for the first two days, followed by a visit to its "Macrohard" xAI datacenter in Memphis, Tennessee, on the final day.

GE Aerospace is expected to report higher first-quarter profits. The focus, however, will be more on whether the company can sustain its core profit engine: high-margin aftermarket services. Demand for maintenance and spare parts has been buoyed by constrained aircraft supply and longer engine usage cycles — a dynamic that has underpinned its recent outperformance.

Health insurer UnitedHealth is expected to report its first-quarter results. Investors are expected to look out for any changes to the company's annual profit forecast and comments on medical costs and 2027 Medicare Advantage payment rates.

On the U.S. economic calendar, the Census Bureau is set to release March retail sales data, with overall sales and sales excluding autos both expected to rise 1.4%, following gains of 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively, in February. The Bureau will also publish February business inventories data, forecast to increase 0.3% after a 0.1% decline in January. Later in the day, the National Association of Realtors is expected to report March pending home sales, which are seen rising 0.5% after a 1.8% increase in February.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in a dispute involving fines imposed by the Federal Communications Commission on major U.S. wireless carriers for sharing customer location data without consent - the latest case to reach the justices challenging the powers of a U.S. regulatory agency.

RTX is expected to report its first-quarter 2026 results. Analysts will be focused on demand for its aircraft engines and commercial maintenance and repair services, as well as any updates on missile production capacity amid the conflict in the Middle East.

United Airlines is expected to report higher first-quarter profits. But the focus will be more on whether the airline can keep using premium demand, corporate travel and pricing power to outrun a fast-rising fuel bill.

Intuitive Surgical is expected to report its first-quarter results. Investor focus will be on the demand and procedural volumes for its da Vinci surgical robots.

Danaher is scheduled to report its first‑quarter earnings. Key areas of focus for investors include performance in the diagnostics and life sciences businesses, demand trends in China, spending behavior among pharmaceutical clients, and any changes to the annual forecast.

Interactive Brokers is set to report its first-quarter results. Investors will keep an eye on net new assets and account growth trends.

Chubb is slated to report its first-quarter results. Investors will parse management commentary on pricing trends and exposure to private credit.

Capital One Financial is expected to report a jump in its first-quarter profit, driven by higher interest income. Investors will watch out for management commentary on the state of U.S. consumers and loan pipelines.

3M is expected to post its first-quarter results before the bell, with investors expecting demand choppiness on recent tariff announcements and a muted macro environment.

Northrop Grumman is scheduled to report its first-quarter results before markets open. Analysts are expected to be on the lookout for sales in its aeronautics segment, as well as other arms and defense systems, amid increased global tensions.

DR Horton is expected to post its second-quarter earnings, with investors looking out for commentary on housing demand and updates on sales incentives amid an inflationary U.S. market.

U.S. natural gas producer EQT Corp is expected to report higher first‑quarter earnings, helped by stronger natural gas prices and higher sales volumes, as analysts forecast adjusted earnings of about $2.12 per share. Investors will be looking out for continued benefits from rising long‑term demand tied to U.S. LNG export projects nearing final investment decisions, with geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving Iran, adding support to global gas demand and prices.

Index provider MSCI is expected to report a rise in its first-quarter profit, helped by a strong performance in its index products and analytics services.

Halliburton is set to report its first-quarter earnings. The company is expected to report a fall in quarterly profit as it grapples with waning demand and a slowdown in activity in the Middle East. Investors will look out for commentary on how Halliburton expects to weather the impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Northern Trust is expected to report a rise in its first-quarter profit, helped by strong fee income. Investors will look for commentary on risk appetite and comments around the economy.

Synchrony Financial is expected to report a rise in its first-quarter profit, as the consumer lender is set to benefit from higher net interest income, as spending remained resilient.

W.R. Berkley is scheduled to report its first-quarter results. Investors will keep a close eye on management commentary on commercial insurance pricing trends

Quest Diagnostics is scheduled to report its first‑quarter results. Investor focus will be on trends in routine diagnostic testing volumes, pricing pressure from insurers, margin impact from expanding hospital lab contracts, and any change to the company's full‑year forecast.

Farming supplies retailer Tractor Supply is expected to post a rise in its first-quarter revenue, helped by steady demand for discretionary and agricultural products. Investors will look for comments on demand, pricing action, and annual forecasts.

Credit bureau Equifax is expected to report higher profit in its first-quarter earnings report as a recovery in loan growth drives up mortgage inquiries. Analysts and investors will focus on the adoption of VantageScore, its credit score designed to compete with industry staple FICO.

Genuine Parts is scheduled to report its first-quarter results. Analysts expect the auto and industrial parts distributor to post a slight year-over-year increase in profit per share for the quarter, according to LSEG data.

In a Reuters NEXT Newsmaker event, Reuters Energy & Environment Correspondent Tim Gardner will interview Commonwealth Fusion Systems CEO Bob Mumgaard at the Reuters New York City newsroom. (1000/1400) The interview’s focus will be on what it takes to move fusion from experimental science to a viable energy source, the role of regulation and private and government support, and how the United States is competing to lead in one of the most consequential technologies of the coming decades. To register for the event, click here

(Compiled by Kushal Varma J V; Edited by Vijay Kishore)