Schwab Network Start of Earnings Season Sets Tone for Mag 7 & Stock Market's Record Run
Apr 16, 2026
Kevin Hinks, market commentator and CBOE on-site analyst, offers live pre-market perspective. He discusses markets at record highs and the start of earnings season. He highlights jobless claims, regional manufacturing surprises, sector leadership in tech and financials, and headline risks like geopolitics that could unsettle markets.
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Earnings Are Powering A Market At Record Highs
- The U.S. stock market is trading at all-time highs despite mixed headlines and data.
- Kevin Hinks links this resilience to strong corporate earnings and sector leadership from information technology and software driving the rally.
Employment And Regional Data Show Strength
- Recent economic indicators like jobless claims (207,000) and a rising Philly Fed suggest underlying economic strength.
- Kevin Hinks notes jobless claims fell back under 210,000 and Philly Fed jumped to 26.7, reinforcing the positive picture.
NASDAQ Trades At Higher Beta Due To Tech Density
- Tech and software leadership is driving the market higher, with NASDAQ's higher concentration of those names boosting its beta.
- Kevin Hinks explains NASDAQ's greater sensitivity because it has a higher density of information technology stocks.