The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta Platforms

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – April 29, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Apple AAPL, Microsoft MSFT, Amazon AMZN and Meta Platforms META.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Mega-Cap Reports for Q1, Plus Outlooks: Global Week AheadWhat’s going on across this Global Week Ahead?·        A major Canadian election happens on Monday·        Q1 S&P500 earnings season ramps up·        Crucial U.S. Federal non-farm jobs data from April is out Friday, and·        A PMI macro data litmus test, for the health of the Euro Zone, hits late tooAt mid-week, Donald Trump hits the 100-day mark of his 2nd — and constitutionally final — U.S. presidential term.Investors are no closer to figuring out how to trade his policies, nor do central bankers have much clarity on how their economies may be affected.  Next are Reuters’ five world market themes, re-ordered for equity traders—(1) Mega-cap Earnings Reports Pour In, All Week. On Friday, April Nonfarm Jobs.Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta Platforms deliver quarterly results in the coming week, which will also feature some big economic indicators.After two years of massive gains, these stocks and the rest of the "Magnificent Seven" mega-cap companies are off to a rough start in 2025, weighing on equity markets.Over one-fifth of the S&P 500 have reported results and overall earnings are expected to have grown 8.4% in the first quarter.But the focus is firmly on corporate outlooks, given the uncertain trade backdrop.April employment data on May 2nd and inflation figures a day earlier may offer some steer on how the economy is doing.Forecasts are for a +130K rise in the number of workers on non-farm payrolls after March's +228K increase.(2) Trade-War Rhetoric Between the U.S. and Mainland China Has De-escalated.Tensions between the U.S. and China seem to be thawing somewhat, with Beijing considering some exemptions for its 125% tariffs on U.S. imports.A list of 131 categories of products eligible for exemptions was circulating widely on social media and among businesses and trade groups on Friday.This comes after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday indicated the U.S. was willing to de-escalate.It also doesn't seem as if Bessent will be aggressively pressuring Tokyo for a stronger yen, in what can only be welcome news to the Bank of Japan, which meets on May 1st.Bessent said he has no numbers in mind for the exchange rate as he prepared to meet his Japanese counterpart Katsunobu Kato for talks in Washington.Only a week earlier, Trump accused Japan of weakening the yen to help exporters.(3) On Monday, Canada Heads to the Polls to Elect a New Prime Minister.Canadians head to the polls on Monday and Prime Minister Mark Carney wants a strong mandate to tackle Trump.Carney believes his southern neighbor poses a huge threat because of his tariffs and talk of annexation, so the answer is to reduce reliance on the United States and restructure the economy.Voters appear to agree. Carney's Liberal party has rebounded to a 5-point lead over the opposition Conservatives, after having trailed by 24 points back in January.Markets anticipate this outcome. Canada's dollar, up from February's 22-year low, shouldn't be too impacted.That said, the road ahead is bumpy.The IMF has slashed Canadian growth forecasts, and Liberal plans to ramp up spending to boost growth suggest a higher-than-anticipated budget deficit.The stakes for Carney, who earned a reputation as the “unreliable boyfriend” during his tenor as Bank of England chief, are high.(4) Key Eurozone Macro Is a Highlight, Now that the Euro Is a “Safe Haven.”With the euro and Eurozone bonds now functioning as havens for investors fleeing U.S. tariff turmoil, their reaction to key data next week will show if these assets have completely decoupled from the bloc's economy.Flash Eurozone inflation data on May 2nd may show price growth has continued to ease towards the European Central Bank's 2% target and strengthen the case for further rate cuts.HCOB's final purchasing managers index for European manufacturers, due the same day, could also confirm widespread fears that confidence is draining out of the regional supply chain.However, few analysts expect weak data to shake the euro. Bank of America reckons Germany's fiscal splurge will keep it strong, while Barclays expects the common currency to stick around $1.15 unless White House policy shocks abate.(5) President Trump Marks 100 Days in Office on Wednesday, April 30th.Trump marks 100 days in office on April 30th, 2025 facing a multitude of challenges, many of his own making.Trump's on/off tariffs have sent shockwaves through financial markets, which still have no real way of pricing in the possible economic hits.His public meltdown with Volodymyr Zelenskyy shocked the Ukrainian President's allies in Europe, who, excluded from ceasefire talks with Russia, are now re-arming at the fastest pace in decades.A heavy-handed approach towards migrants and tourists has slashed visitor arrivals to the United States.And Trump's jibes about making Canada the 51st U.S. state have sparked an anti-U.S. backlash there.Old alliances lie in tatters, market sentiment is fragile and uncertainty rife.Investors are keen for a bit more visibility in Trump's next 100 days.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Zacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor StockIt's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.See This Stock Now for Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Meta Platforms, Inc. (META): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks