The Week Ahead

The upcoming week looks to be pivotal for active traders as the first-quarter 2025 earnings season intensifies, coinciding with potentially market-moving macroeconomic data releases. This confluence of events necessitates a proactive and informed approach to navigate the anticipated volatility and identify potential trading opportunities. This briefing aims to equip traders with a comprehensive overview of the key earnings reports to watch in the coming week. Staying abreast of these developments is crucial for making well-informed trading decisions in a fast-paced market environment.

Earnings Watchlist:

Company Name: Palantir Technologies

Ticker Symbol: PLTR

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Monday, May 5th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:00 PM Webcast)

Company Name: Ford

Ticker Symbol: F

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Monday, May 5th, 2025

Time of Release: 4:05 PM (5:00 PM Conference Call)

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices

Ticker Symbol: AMD

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:00 PM Conference Call)

Company Name: Marriott International

Ticker Symbol: MAR

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

Time of Release: Before Market Open (8:30 AM Conference Call)

Company Name: Rivian Automotive

Ticker Symbol: RIVN

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:00 PM Webcast)

Company Name: Uber

Ticker Symbol: UBER

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Wednesday, May 7th, 2025

Time of Release: Before Market Open (8:00 AM Conference Call)

Company Name: Walt Disney

Ticker Symbol: DIS

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Wednesday, May 7th, 2025

Time of Release: Before Market Open

Company Name: Carvana

Ticker Symbol: CVNA

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Wednesday, May 7th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:30 PM Conference Call)

Company Name: Zillow Group

Ticker Symbol: ZG

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Wednesday, May 7th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:00 PM Webcast)

Company Name: Shopify

Ticker Symbol: SHOP

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Time of Release: Before Market Open (8:30 AM Conference Call)

Company Name: Expedia Group

Ticker Symbol: EXPE

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (4:30 PM Webcast)

Company Name: DraftKings

Ticker Symbol: DKNG

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (Friday, May 9th, 8:30 AM Conference Call)

Company Name: Texas Roadhouse

Ticker Symbol: TXRH

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:00 PM Conference Call)

Company Name: Lyft

Ticker Symbol: LYFT

Confirmed Earnings Release Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025

Time of Release: After Market Close (5:00 PM Conference Call)

Company Spotlight:

This section provides a detailed look at each of the highlighted companies scheduled to report earnings next week, incorporating analyst expectations and key areas for traders to monitor.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR)

Palantir Technologies is set to release its first-quarter 2025 earnings report on Monday, May 5th, following the close of U.S. markets. A webcast to discuss the results will be held at 5:00 PM ET. This data analytics company has increasingly gained attention for its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) and its growing adoption in the commercial sector. Expectations are high for Palantir, with analysts forecasting a significant 62% year-over-year increase in earnings per share (EPS) to $0.13, and a substantial 36% year-over-year growth in revenue, reaching approximately $864 million. This anticipated strong performance suggests the market believes Palantir's strategic focus on AI-driven commercial applications is gaining considerable traction. Furthermore, the company's AIP has emerged as a key growth driver, evidenced by a remarkable 64% year-over-year increase in the US commercial sector in the fourth quarter of 2024.3 Investors will be closely watching to see if this momentum has continued into the first quarter and if the company's strategy of hosting "AIP bootcamps" is effectively translating into accelerating commercial revenue growth. It's worth noting that Palantir's share price has exhibited considerable volatility leading up to this earnings announcement, having declined by around 40% from its February high to its April low. This price action indicates that the market has already factored in certain expectations, and any deviation from these could result in sharp movements in either direction.

Ford (F)

Ford Motor Company will release its first-quarter 2025 financial results on Monday, May 5th, at 4:05 PM ET. Following the release, a conference call will be held at 5:00 PM ET, featuring President and CEO Jim Farley, CFO Sherry House, and other members of senior management. The discussion is expected to center on the company's progress in delivering its ambitious Ford+ plan for growth and value creation. This strategic initiative is crucial for Ford as it navigates the evolving automotive landscape, particularly its transition towards electric vehicles. Active traders will likely focus on updates regarding EV production volumes, sales figures, and the financial performance of Ford's electric vehicle segment. Insights into the company's outlook for the remainder of the year and any potential adjustments to its strategic roadmap will also be closely scrutinized.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is scheduled to report its first-quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, May 6th, after the US market closes. A conference call to discuss these results will take place at 5:00 PM EDT / 2:00 PM PDT. As a major player in the semiconductor industry, AMD's performance is a key indicator of demand for CPUs and GPUs. Analysts project a robust 30.2% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching US$7.13 billion, and a significant 52.1% year-over-year increase in EPS to US$0.94. This anticipated growth marks the fourth consecutive quarter of accelerating revenue expansion, highlighting the strong market demand for AMD's products. Furthermore, the gross margin is also expected to improve to 53.75%, compared to 52.0% in the same period last year. This suggests enhanced profitability and potentially greater pricing flexibility for AMD in a competitive market.

Marriott International (MAR)

Marriott International will announce its first-quarter 2025 earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th, at approximately 7:00 a.m. ET. A conference call for the investment community will follow at 8:30 a.m. ET. As a leading global hospitality company, Marriott's performance provides valuable insights into the state of the travel and tourism industry. During its previous earnings call, Marriott provided guidance for 2025, anticipating net rooms growth of 4% to 5% and global Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) growth of 2% to 4%. Active traders will be keen to see if the first-quarter results align with this outlook, especially considering the evolving global economic conditions. Notably, Marriott achieved strong international RevPAR growth of over 7% in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by growth in the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) regions. Investors will be looking for confirmation that this positive trend in international travel demand has continued into the first quarter of 2025.

Rivian Automotive (RIVN)

Rivian Automotive is scheduled to release its first-quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, May 6th, after the market closes. The company will host an audio webcast at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss the results and provide an outlook for the business. Rivian recently announced its first-quarter 2025 production of 14,611 vehicles and deliveries of 8,640 vehicles, which were in line with its previously stated expectations. The company also reaffirmed its 2025 delivery range guidance of 46,000 to 51,000 vehicles. For active traders, the focus will likely be on whether Rivian can maintain this production and delivery momentum as it strives towards profitability. Analyst estimates for the first quarter of 2025 indicate expected revenue of $1.02 billion, representing a 15.34% year-over-year decrease, and an EPS of -$0.92, showing a 37.66% year-over-year improvement. The apparent contradiction between lower revenue and improved EPS warrants close attention to the underlying factors driving these figures, such as pricing strategies and cost management efforts.

Uber (UBER)

Uber Technologies will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss its first-quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, May 7th, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The earnings release is anticipated to be issued prior to the call. Analysts expect Uber to report quarterly earnings of $0.51 per share, which represents a significant 259.4% year-over-year increase, and revenues of $11.6 billion, up 14.5% from the year-ago quarter. This substantial expected growth in earnings suggests a considerable improvement in Uber's operational efficiency and profitability. Furthermore, Uber has demonstrated a tendency to outperform analyst expectations, having beaten consensus EPS estimates in three of the last four quarters. This history of positive earnings surprises might lead traders to anticipate a similar outcome for the upcoming report.

Walt Disney (DIS)

Walt Disney is confirmed to release its second-quarter of fiscal year 2025 earnings report before the market opens on Wednesday, May 7th. For Disney investors, this month is packed with potentially significant events, with the earnings call being the most critical. Investors will be closely monitoring several key metrics, including the performance of Disney+, focusing on subscriber growth, retention rates, and revenue contributions. The recovery of Disney's theme parks will also be under scrutiny, with attendance and pricing trends being key indicators. Additionally, the return on investment for Disney's content, particularly whether successful releases offset any underperforming films, will be a major point of interest. Analysts currently expect Disney to report diluted EPS of $1.21 for the second quarter, with revenue growth primarily driven by the parks and streaming segments. Failure to meet these expectations could put downward pressure on Disney's stock, especially considering its recent underperformance compared to some of its peers in the streaming industry.

Carvana (CVNA)

Carvana, the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, will report its first-quarter 2025 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, May 7th. Management will host a conference call and webcast at 5:30 p.m. ET to review and discuss the company's business and results. Analysts are projecting a substantial 29.93% year-over-year increase in revenue for Carvana in the first quarter of 2025, reaching $3.98 billion, and an even more significant 171.30% year-over-year increase in EPS to $0.62. This anticipated strong growth in both revenue and earnings suggests a potential recovery or a period of significant expansion for Carvana. Active traders will be particularly interested in understanding the factors driving this expected turnaround and any updates on the company's strategies for achieving sustained profitability and managing its debt.

Zillow Group (ZG)

Zillow Group is scheduled to announce its first-quarter 2025 financial results after market close on Wednesday, May 7th. The company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its results that afternoon at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET. Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year increase in earnings for Zillow on higher revenues for the quarter ending March 2025. The consensus EPS forecast for the first quarter is $0.37, with some analysts expecting $0.43, compared to last year's EPS of $0.36. Revenues are projected to reach $588.55 million, an 11.3% increase from the previous year. Key areas for investors will include the performance of Zillow's rentals segment, which saw a 25% year-over-year revenue increase in Q4 2024, and the growth of their mortgages segment, with an 86% year-over-year revenue increase in the same period. Zillow also expects to achieve positive GAAP net income for the full year 2025.

Shopify (SHOP)

Shopify Inc. plans to announce its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, before markets open on Thursday, May 8th. Shopify's management team will host a conference call to discuss the first-quarter results at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 8th. Analysts anticipate that this cloud-based commerce company will report quarterly earnings of $0.26 per share, representing a 30% year-over-year increase from the $0.12 EPS reported in the same quarter last year. Revenues are expected to be $2.33 billion, up 25.2% from the year-ago quarter. Shopify anticipates revenue growth in the mid-twenties percentage rate on a year-over-year basis for the first quarter of 2025. Investors will be keen to hear updates on Shopify's gross profit dollars, expected to grow at a low-twenties percentage rate year-over-year, and their free cash flow margin, projected to be in the mid-teens.

Expedia Group (EXPE)

Expedia Group will report its first-quarter 2025 results for the period ended March 31, 2025, on Thursday, May 8th, after market close. The company will host a webcast to discuss the results at 1:30 PM Pacific Time / 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Analysts expect the online travel agency to report a loss of $0.16 per share, which is a significant improvement compared to the loss of $0.39 per share in the same quarter of the previous year. For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts anticipate an EPS of $11.82, a 25.6% increase from $9.41 in fiscal 2024. Investors will be watching for updates on Expedia's gross bookings, which rose 13% year-over-year in Q4 2024, and room nights, which increased by 12% in the same period. The performance of Expedia's B2B segment, which saw a 24% increase in bookings in Q4 2024, will also be of interest.

DraftKings (DKNG)

DraftKings Inc. will release its first-quarter 2025 results after the close of market trading on Thursday, May 8th.25 A conference call and audio webcast to discuss these results will take place the following morning, Friday, May 9th, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The consensus EPS forecast for the quarter is $-0.01, a significant improvement from the $-0.30 EPS reported in the same quarter last year. Revenue is expected to be in the range of $1.45 billion to $1.467 billion, representing a 19% increase from Q1 2024. Investors will be closely monitoring DraftKings' ability to maintain its momentum towards profitability, especially after reporting its first positive free cash flow in Q4 2024. The company's 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $900 million to $1 billion will also be a key focus.

Texas Roadhouse (TXRH)

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. announced that it will release its first-quarter 2025 financial results on Thursday, May 8th, after the market close. A conference call will follow at 5:00 PM ET and will be webcast live from the investor relations section of the company's website. This restaurant chain is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.75 per share, representing a 3.6% year-over-year increase. Revenues are anticipated to be $1.44 billion, up 9% from the year-ago quarter. Investors will be looking for insights into Texas Roadhouse's same-store sales growth, which achieved 5.8% in Q1 2025. The company's ability to navigate current economic conditions and any updates on their expansion plans will also be of interest.

Lyft (LYFT)

Lyft, Inc. will release its financial results for the first quarter of 2025 after the close of the market on Thursday, May 8th. The company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss these financial results and business highlights. Analysts expect Lyft to report quarterly earnings of $0.20 per share, representing a 33.3% year-over-year increase from the $0.15 EPS in the same quarter last year. Revenues are projected to reach $1.46 billion, up 14.7% from the year-ago quarter. Lyft anticipates gross bookings growth of 10% to 14% year-over-year for Q1 2025 and adjusted EBITDA between $90 million and $95 million. Investors will be keen to hear how Lyft is managing the end of its partnership with Delta Air Lines and its strategies to maintain service quality and navigate competitive pressures.

Trading Considerations:

Active traders should be prepared for potential increases in market volatility during the week of May 5th, 2025, due to the high volume of earnings releases and various macroeconomic data announcements. Employing robust risk management strategies is crucial. Additionally, reviewing the management commentary and future guidance provided during the earnings conference calls can offer valuable insights into a company's prospects that could potentially influence its stock price. It is also important to remember that macroeconomic data can have a broad impact on market sentiment, affecting various sectors and individual stocks beyond those directly reporting earnings. Therefore, staying informed about both company-specific news and broader economic trends is essential for navigating the markets.