Bloomberg Surveillance · Monday, July 13, 2026
Stephen Auf of Federated predicts a solid but not spectacular earnings season, noting that companies have been raising numbers and analysts have confidence, which usually continues into the season. He anticipates banks will lead off with positive dividend increases, suggesting earnings are not falling apart, but doesn't foresee a major catalyst for market movement.
“I think the spot market for stocks could be a little bit ragged maybe the next few weeks, but we're going to be beating. I mean, you know, the company stock companies have been raising numbers into this season. We're up like four percent versus where we were just three months ago. Normally you're cutting into the season, so the analysts have a lot of confidence in these numbers, and usually that momentum continues into the earning season.”
“The banks are going to lead us off. They just declared a whole bunch of them another set of dividend increases. You don't do that if your earnings are falling apart. So, you know, I think people expect a good earning season. I think it's going to be solid. I don't know there'll be a catalyst to make a major move higher as a result, but I don't see it as a catalyst for a correction.”