According to CNBC, a screen of FactSet data identified S&P 500 stocks with significant earnings momentum ahead of next week’s reports. Palantir Technologies, reporting Monday after the close, has seen 20 analysts raise earnings estimates by 20% over the past three months, despite its stock sliding 25% from a November high. Ralph Lauren, reporting next Thursday before the open, has had 19 analysts boost profit projections by over 8%, with FactSet estimating its revenue could top $2.3 billion for the first time. Other major companies reporting include Eli Lilly, Merck, Pfizer, AMD, Qualcomm, Alphabet, and Amazon. The screen required at least 15 upward revisions, five or fewer downward revisions, and an average estimate revision upward of 5% in three months or 10% in six.
Palantir’s Premium Problem
Here’s the thing with Palantir: everyone agrees it’s a premium asset in the AI software space. Loop Capital’s analyst even called its execution “near-flawless.” But the stock is down 25% in three months. Why? Because “premium” comes with a premium price tag, and there’s a ton of skepticism about an AI bubble. The Loop note admits this, even as it keeps a Buy rating with a $220 target suggesting 60% upside. That’s a wild spread. So next week’s report isn’t just about beating numbers—it’s about justifying that “category leader” valuation in a market that’s getting nervous. Can they show that government and commercial contracts are scaling fast enough to calm the nerves? I think that’s the entire ballgame for them right now.
Ralph Lauren’s Quiet Comeback
Ralph Lauren’s story is different. It’s not about a tech bubble; it’s about a classic brand proving its resilience. Unchanged this year but up 37% over the past one, it’s the quiet momentum play. The analyst chatter points to a strong holiday quarter and a resilient U.S. “value” consumer—which is a funny term for someone buying a $200 polo shirt, but you get the point. The thesis is about balanced growth and execution. With a Jefferies price target implying another 20% gain, the pressure is on management to deliver that “broad-based momentum” they’re promising. In a shaky consumer economy, a beat here could signal strength in a surprising place.
The Bigger Picture Next Week
Look, Palantir and Ralph Lauren are interesting, but they’re just part of the story. Next week is a monster for earnings. You’ve got the whole healthcare complex with Lilly and Pfizer, the semiconductor pulse with AMD and Qualcomm, and then the cloud hyperscaler outlook with Alphabet and Amazon. Basically, it’s a huge test for multiple market narratives all at once. The earnings momentum screen is a useful snapshot of analyst sentiment, but it’s backward-looking. Now these companies have to validate that optimism in real time. If they stumble, all those upward revisions could reverse in a hurry. And if they soar? It could put a real floor under this market. It’s going to be a fascinating week to watch.
