Tech Stocks Fall, Tesla Profit Misses | Closing Bell

Earnings Overview - A significant number of earnings reports are expected, including from IBM and Tesla, with a trend of earnings surpassing estimates in recent quarters [1][2] - The earnings beat rate is currently at 85%, indicating strong performance, but there are concerns about post-earnings disappointments in share prices [4] Tesla Performance - Tesla reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.50, missing the expected $0.54, while revenue was $28.1 billion, exceeding estimates [16][25] - Free cash flow for Tesla was reported at $3.99 billion, significantly higher than the expected $1.25 billion, marking a 46% year-over-year increase [17][19] - The company faces challenges due to the loss of U.S. tax credits and rising costs, impacting both revenue and profitability [27][28] Market Reactions - Tesla shares experienced volatility, down approximately 1.5% in after-hours trading despite strong revenue and cash flow figures [20][24] - The stock has seen a 100% increase since April's lows but is only about 8% higher for the year, indicating mixed investor sentiment [19] IBM Performance - IBM's third-quarter revenue was reported at $16.33 billion, beating estimates of $16.1 billion, with software revenue aligning with expectations at $7.21 billion [31][32] - Despite positive earnings, IBM shares fell by 3.5% in after-hours trading, reflecting high expectations and potential disappointment in market reactions [32][33] Sector Performance - The technology sector faced pressure, contributing to declines in major indices, while energy and consumer staples sectors showed resilience [8][9] - Intuitive Surgical was a standout performer, gaining nearly 14% after boosting its growth forecast for Da Vinci procedures [10]