Hey Gotraders, Happy Labor Day! 🎉
While Indonesian, European, or Chinese stock markets take a break, US markets are open with a full slate. Today brings energy earnings and manufacturing data that could move markets.
Here's your watchlist for active traders!
📊 Earnings to Watch
| Company | Timing | Focus | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exxon Mobil (XOM) | Before market open | Impact of Brent $100+ on upstream margins. Energy sector down -14.4% YoY in Q1. | Production guidance and hedging losses |
| Chevron (CVX) | Before market open | Strategy amid oil price volatility. Direct XOM competitor. | CapEx guidance and dividend sustainability |
| Colgate-Palmolive (CL) | Before market open | Pricing power amid input cost inflation. Consumer staples resilience. | Gross margin and FY2026 guidance |
| Moderna (MRNA) | Before market open | Non-COVID pipeline and commercial revenue. Transition from pandemic play. | R&D spending and trial updates |
| Estée Lauder (EL) | Before market open | China recovery and travel retail rebound. Beauty sector rebound. | Asia Pacific sales and margin expansion |
💬 Economic Data Today
| Time (ET) | Data | Consensus | Previous | Watch For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | ISM Manufacturing PMI (April) | ~52.5 | 52.7 (March - highest since August 2022) | • New Orders (demand indicator) • Prices Index (inflation pressure from Middle East war) • Employment (manufacturing labor signal) | ISM > 50 = manufacturing expansion, early GDP growth indicator. If prices index stays elevated (78.3 in March), could pressure Fed rate cut expectations |
| 9:45 AM | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI Final (April) | - | - | Confirmation of preliminary data, cross-check with ISM | Validates manufacturing trend |
🔔 Market Themes in Play
1. Energy Earnings Amid Brent $100+
- Oil prices remain elevated post-Iran tensions
- XOM & CVX guidance will set Energy sector direction
- Watch: Market response to production volume vs price environment
2. Input Cost Inflation Still an Issue
- ISM Prices Index hit 78.3 in March (highest since June 2022)
- Colgate-Palmolive and Estée Lauder face margin pressure
- Watch: Pricing power vs volume trade-off
3. Manufacturing Momentum
- 3 consecutive months of expansion (Jan-Mar 2026)
- Today's ISM confirms if April continues the trend
- Watch: New orders for forward demand signal
✅ Trader Checklist
Before Market Open (8:30 AM ET):
- ✅ Set alerts for XOM, CVX, CL, MRNA, EL
- ✅ Monitor pre-market volume for earnings movers
- ✅ Check oil prices (Brent & WTI)
Ahead of ISM Release (10:00 AM ET):
- ✅ Watch SPY, QQQ for volatility
- ✅ Energy sector ETF (XLE) for reaction
- ✅ Dollar index (DXY) for currency impact
Post-ISM:
- ✅ Compare actual vs consensus
- ✅ Read commentary for context (tariffs, Middle East impact)
Set your alerts now, enjoy your day off, and check back this afternoon for the market wrap.
Which stocks are you watching today?
