Earnings Reports Overview - Next Wednesday and Next Thursday are expected to have the highest earnings density, with over 25 reports each day [1] - Key market movers include Johnson & Johnson reporting pre-market on Next Wednesday, and Procter & Gamble, GE Aerospace, Abbott Laboratories, and Intuitive Surgical reporting pre-market on Next Thursday [1] - Netflix is scheduled to report after market close on Next Tuesday, while Intel and Capital One Financial will report after market close on Next Thursday [1] - Financials are highlighted as a consistent sector theme throughout the week [1]

Core Viewpoint - President Trump's unexpected request for credit card companies to set a cap on interest rates at 10% could significantly impact the profitability of the financial sector, leading to a decline in financial stocks and raising concerns among bank executives during earnings calls [1][4]. Financial Sector Impact - The proposed interest rate cap is half of the current average rate on outstanding balances, potentially erasing billions in profits for credit card issuers [1]. - Major banks such as Capital One (COF.US), JPMorgan Chase (JPM.US), and American Express (AXP.US) experienced significant stock declines following the announcement [1]. - Analysts from KBW indicated that if the policy is implemented, it would severely weaken the profitability of credit card issuers and could trigger economic repercussions [4]. Legislative Developments - Trump has called for Congressional support for the Credit Card Competition Act, which targets the nearly $200 billion in swipe fees charged by banks and payment companies, negatively affecting stocks of Visa (V.US) and Mastercard (MA.US) [4]. - Some analysts doubt the feasibility of the interest rate cap, suggesting that the probability of it being enacted is less than 20% due to the lack of legislative support [4]. Broader Economic Effects - Bank executives have warned that the interest rate cap could lead to a significant economic slowdown and push consumers towards unregulated lending sources [5]. - The proposed changes are expected to have ripple effects beyond the financial sector, impacting industries such as airlines and retail, which rely on partnerships with credit card companies for substantial revenue [7]. - Airlines like Delta (DAL.US) and United Airlines (UAL.US) saw stock declines, as did retailers like Macy's (M.US) and Kohl's (KSS.US), due to concerns over the potential impact of the proposed legislation [7].

Group 1: Lockheed Martin Corporation - Lockheed Martin Corporation is a key player in the defense sector, focusing on advanced technology and innovation to maintain its competitive edge [1] - The company has reported strong financial performance, with significant revenue growth driven by increased defense spending [1] - Lockheed Martin's strategic partnerships and contracts with government agencies are expected to bolster its market position in the coming years [1] Group 2: Waste Management Inc - Waste Management Inc continues to lead the waste management industry, emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility [1] - The company has seen an increase in demand for its services, resulting in improved revenue and profitability metrics [1] - Waste Management's investments in technology and infrastructure are aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer service [1] Group 3: Capital One Financial Corporation - Capital One Financial Corporation is experiencing growth in its financial services sector, particularly in credit card offerings and digital banking solutions [1] - The company has reported a rise in customer acquisition and retention, contributing to its overall financial health [1] - Capital One's focus on innovation and technology integration is expected to drive future growth and market share [1] Group 4: SPDR® Gold Shares - SPDR® Gold Shares serves as a popular investment vehicle for those looking to gain exposure to gold prices [1] - The demand for gold as a safe-haven asset has increased amid economic uncertainties, positively impacting SPDR® Gold Shares' performance [1] - The fund's structure allows investors to easily access gold without the complexities of physical ownership [1]

Core Viewpoint - Capital One (COF) is well-positioned to continue its earnings-beat streak, having a strong history of surpassing earnings estimates, particularly in the last two quarters with an average surprise of 42.37% [1] Earnings Performance - For the most recent quarter, Capital One reported earnings of $5.95 per share, exceeding the expected $4.2 per share, resulting in a surprise of 41.67% [2] - In the previous quarter, the company reported $5.48 per share against an estimate of $3.83 per share, achieving a surprise of 43.08% [2] Earnings Estimates and Predictions - Recent estimates for Capital One have been increasing, with a positive Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) indicating a strong likelihood of another earnings beat [4] - The Zacks Earnings ESP for Capital One is currently +2.07%, suggesting analysts are optimistic about its near-term earnings potential [7] Zacks Rank and Predictive Power - The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) indicates a high probability of a positive earnings surprise, with historical data showing that nearly 70% of stocks with this combination beat consensus estimates [5][6] - The next earnings report for Capital One is anticipated to be released on January 22, 2026 [7]

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) is one of the cheap S&P 500 stocks to invest in now. On January 12, RBC Capital raised the firm’s price target on Capital One to $275 from $255 with a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The firm’s Q4 2025 outlook for consumer finance suggested that solid fundamentals will persist, supported by a steady and potentially strengthening macro environment. The firm projects a sequential rise in loan volumes, fueled by year-end seasonal activity, alongside improvemen ...

President Trump took a swipe at credit card issuers this week, vowing his administration wouldn’t let consumers be “ripped off” by high interest rates and sending bank stocks and financial-sector ETFs skidding downward. Like many things in the Trump era, it’s hard to tell what is noise and what is an actual threat to businesses. In this case, the president told credit card issuers to cap interest rates at 10% (about half the current average across the industry) or risk running afoul of the law. But it doe ...

Group 1 - Proposed credit card interest rate cap policy could severely impact the $70 billion credit card debt securitization market, but investors believe the likelihood of implementation is low, resulting in a muted market reaction [1] - Analysts from JPMorgan indicated that a 10% interest rate cap would significantly reduce the excess spread, a key profitability metric, to levels comparable to those during the 2008 financial crisis [1] - The credit card asset-backed securities market is highly sensitive to the interest rate cap policy, which could block high-interest borrowers from accessing credit cards, leading to a significant contraction in the market [2][3] Group 2 - If the interest rate cap is enforced, banks are expected to tighten credit issuance, leading to a decline in overall loan volumes and a reduction in the issuance of credit card asset-backed securities [3] - Current data shows that credit card ABS has dropped from a peak of 36% of total ABS issuance in 2009 to just 9% [2] - The stock market reacted negatively, with significant declines in shares of banks and credit card issuers, particularly those with a higher proportion of low-quality borrowers [4] Group 3 - Analysts predict that if the interest rate cap is made permanent, it could lead to systemic adjustments in credit card companies' strategies, including reduced credit issuance to non-prime consumers and increased fees [4][5] - Major banks like Citigroup, JPMorgan, and Bank of America could see a decline in earnings per share ranging from 1% to 10% due to the proposed policy [5] - The potential impact on credit card companies' book values could be severe, with estimates suggesting declines of 20% to 40% for certain firms under the temporary cap [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - The relationship between Wall Street and the Trump administration has deteriorated due to proposed policies that threaten the financial industry's profitability and the independence of the Federal Reserve [1][2]. Group 1: Impact of Proposed Policies - President Trump has proposed a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates, which could significantly affect financial institutions that rely on this lucrative business [2][5]. - The average credit card interest rate currently ranges from 19.65% to 21.5%, indicating that a 10% cap would lead to substantial revenue losses for banks, estimated at around $100 billion annually [6]. Group 2: Concerns from Financial Executives - Bank CEOs have expressed concerns that Trump's actions could harm the American economy rather than help it, emphasizing the importance of the Federal Reserve's independence [2][4]. - BNY Chief Executive Officer Robin Vince highlighted that undermining the Fed's independence could shake the foundation of the bond market and potentially lead to higher interest rates due to a lack of confidence [3]. Group 3: Market Reactions - Shares of major credit card companies, including American Express, JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Capital One, experienced significant declines as investors reacted to the potential negative impact on profits from the proposed interest rate cap [6].

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a mixed session with major indexes showing slight pullbacks as investors assess inflation data and fourth-quarter earnings reports [1][2] - The S&P 500 Index is down less than 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite Index has slipped 0.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen 0.6% [2] Economic Indicators - The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows a 2.7% year-over-year rise in headline inflation, matching expectations, while core inflation is at 2.6%, slightly below the projected 2.8% [4] - The 10-year Treasury yield has decreased to below 4.18% from 4.20% following the CPI data release, indicating potential room for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [4] Earnings Reports - JPMorgan Chase (JPM) reported adjusted profits exceeding expectations but with slightly lower revenue, leading to a 2.5% decline in shares [7] - Delta Air Lines (DAL) shares fell nearly 6% pre-bell and 1.5% in recent trading after forecasting lower-than-expected profit growth for fiscal 2026, despite reporting operating revenue of $16.00 billion [7] - L3Harris Technologies (LHX) shares surged 3% to an all-time high following plans to spin off its Missile Solutions business, supported by a $1 billion government investment [8] Sector Movements - A sector rotation trend has been observed since late December 2025, with the Dow Jones and small-cap Russell 2000 outperforming AI-heavy mega-cap technology stocks [3] Corporate Developments - Sun Country Airlines Holdings Inc. (SNCY) shares jumped 10.6% after announcing an acquisition agreement with Allegiant Travel (ALGT) valued at $18.89 per share [10] - Posco Holdings Inc. (PKX) shares rose 12% after raising $700 million in global bond markets and providing a positive earnings outlook for 2026 [11] Political Impact - President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% has negatively impacted financial stocks, with Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) down 5%, and American Express Company (AXP) down 4.3% [9]

Capital One (COF) shares plunged nearly 7% on Monday after President Donald Trump proposed capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year. The announcement sent shockwaves through the financial services sector and raised questions about the stock's bullish Wall Street consensus. Trump caught bank executives off guard and triggered a broad selloff across the industry. Shares of major banks, including Citigroup (C), J.P. Morgan Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC), and Bank of America (BAC), dropped betwe ...