From Accenture to Apple: What’s Moving Markets This Week

Global markets are navigating a delicate balance of optimism and caution. Earnings season has investors eyeing guidance from major names like Accenture and CarMax, while tech stocks remain at the center of volatility with AI bets, IPO buzz, and regulatory hurdles. Commodities cooled after recent highs, and currencies traded steady as traders await key U.S. inflation and jobs data. The coming days could set the tone for the next big move across asset classes.

Earnings in Focus: Accenture and CarMax

Investors are bracing for a wave of corporate earnings, with Accenture (ACN) in the spotlight ahead of its Q4 results. The market is particularly focused on clarity around FY26 guidance, as the consulting giant navigates softer tech spending and the push toward AI-driven services. Shares rose +1.52% in anticipation, signaling cautious optimism. Meanwhile, CarMax (KMX) prepares to release Q2 earnings, where analysts are watching closely for signs of consumer resilience amid ongoing headwinds in used car sales.

Tech and AI Headlines

Tech stocks remain the heartbeat of market sentiment. Apple (AAPL -0.83%) grabbed headlines after urging the European Union to scale back or repeal parts of the Digital Markets Act, highlighting the growing tension between regulators and Big Tech. On the other side of the world, Chery Automobile surged on its $1.2 billion Hong Kong IPO, marking one of the region’s strongest debuts this year. Meanwhile, AI optimism continues to swirl, with major U.S. players like Intel (+6.41%) gaining ground on hopes of strategic partnerships, while Nvidia (-0.82%) and Oracle (-1.71%) pulled back after recent highs.

Asia Markets and FX Steady

Asian equities remained subdued, tracking Wall Street’s weakness. Benchmarks like JP225 (+0.28%) and HK50 (+0.14%) traded flat to higher, while India’s NSEI (-0.20%) edged lower. Currencies also held steady, with the yen and yuan flat, while the Aussie dollar found support from hot inflation data that reinforced expectations of further tightening from the Reserve Bank of Australia. Traders are now eyeing key U.S. jobless claims and PCE inflation data for the next directional move.

Commodities and Oil Moves

Oil prices softened after recently hitting seven-week highs, with Brent crude (-0.38%) and WTI (-0.42%) easing slightly. The pullback came after a strong run supported by U.S. inventory drawdowns and lingering geopolitical risks. Gold, meanwhile, remained firm near record levels as investors balanced Powell’s cautious remarks with renewed safe-haven demand.

Corporate Shifts and M&A Buzz

Beyond earnings and macro, corporate deal flow continues to shape sentiment. SSP Group, the operator behind Upper Crust, became a target for an activist fund pushing for a take-private deal. In India, PhonePe, backed by Walmart, confidentially filed for a $1.3 billion IPO, underscoring the momentum in fintech. Elsewhere, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon secured sizable U.S. military contracts, reflecting the ongoing flow of government spending into defense technology.

SGFX Summary

Markets are moving in crosscurrents, optimism around AI and IPO activity is colliding with policy uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and commodity pullbacks. With earnings season heating up, traders will need to stay nimble, balancing growth stories in tech and fintech against the defensive stability of safe-haven assets like gold.