Earnings season continues, and this week we’re looking at three companies heading into their reports with different trajectories. One is in a long-term downtrend, one has been a steady riser, and one is somewhere in between. Let’s unpack what’s happening adn what to watch, all with an eye on balancing opportunity and risk, something that matters even more when you’re managing your own nest egg.
Under Armour (UAA): Looking for a Comeback
If you’ve held Under Armour for the long term, you would be better off hiding out literally under armor than trying to make money owning the stock. For traders, though, there may be a near-term opportunity to trade.
The stock’s all-time peak coincided with the peak of the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry jacking up threes. Every kid in the gym tried to be like Steph, and young basketball players couldn’t get enough of his gear. I know because I coached these kids! Good luck getting them to practice lay-ups… it was just shooting bombs like Curry, but I digress.
Coming to earnings, UAA stock is trading just above all-time lows and is looking for a new catalyst to turn things around (see chart below). Let’s see if Kevin Plank can spark a comeback.
FIGURE 1. DAILY CHART OF UNDER ARMOUR STOCK.Technically, things have been messy over the long-term and intermediate term. But for short-term traders, there may be an opportunity. I’ve added the 20-day simple moving average (SMA) to the chart (green line). Over the past years, when the stock’s price moved above this point, it has led to a near-term rally. Sadly, those rallies have been short-lived.
Maybe this time it will be different.
The $6.10-$6.20 range is a key level to watch. That’s where the 50-day SMA and the old pocket of longer-term support the stock broke below on April 2 meet. From a risk/reward perspective, use this as the line in the sand to be long or short Under Armour stock.
Any upward momentum that gets price to and above this level could lead to a bigger rally. It’s not a pretty picture, but risk/reward metrics for a short-term trade and potential near-term bottom look possible.
Walmart (WMT): A Bellwether for Tariffs and Spending
Walmart could be one of the most telling stocks when it comes to tariff impacts when they report on Thursday.
Last quarter, the company expressed caution regarding the upcoming fiscal year, cutting their EPS numbers short of analyst expectations. This conservative outlook was attributed to uncertainties surrounding consumer spending and the potential impact of tariffs. Investors will be listening closely to this report for strategies on managing tariff-related challenges, maintaining competitive pricing, and supply chain issues that may make stocking shelves more of a challenge.
Technically, shares gapped lower after the last earnings report and broke a long-term downtrend (see chart below). While price did wash out and successfully test its 200-day SMA, it hasn’t been able to make it all the way back.
FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF WALMART, INC. Walmart’s stock price appears to be toppy as it struggles to fill last quarter’s gap. The lack of new highs and a moving average convergence/divergence (MACD) that is extended and turning over lends to a more cautious narrative coming into this week’s numbers.
The trend is not the investor’s friend at the moment. It may be better to wait and see how this result goes and where price settles after the announcement. If you’re hoping the S&P 500 ($SPX) can get back to new highs, WMT needs to lead. Currently, the direction looks lower, but a test and hold of the 50-day SMA at the $91 level may be a better entry point as shares continue to consolidate below all-time highs and wait for more clarity on the tariff front.
Alibaba (BABA): A Wild Card
Alibaba faces a few big challenges as it heads into this week’s earnings. There are a couple of issues at play.
First is the obvious tariff uncertainty that has clouded this market, although that looks to be heading down a path to certainty. The second is Alibaba’s AI investments. Its latest model, Qwen 2.5, is integrated into Apple’s iPhones sold in China. Seeing a push away from the American product, what impact will this have on BABA’s bottom line?
Let’s dive into the chart below.
FIGURE 3. DAILY CHART OF BABA. Technically, this stock has been all over the map. Trends change on a dime and tend to move quickly. To trade BABA, you should try to wait for bigger moves. This is why I’ve used Fibonacci retracement lines to coincide with larger consolidation areas and moving averages.
As we head into the week, shares are in a bit of a no man’s land. There is minor support at the $118 area and major support at the 61.8% retracement level that coincides with the 200-day SMA around $102.
To the upside, resistance is up at the $143/$148 52-week high level. Amid trade deal negotiations, it may be better to watch the fundamental story unfold when trying to gauge BABA’s next move. The technicals are at a coin flip and appear to be turning lower. Given solid support levels, that is where it may be safer to add to or enter the stock.
Final Thoughts
Earnings season isn’t just about catching the next hot stock. It’s about protecting what you’ve built while finding opportunities that fit your comfort with risk.
- Under Armour could offer a short-term trade, but it’s speculative.
- Walmart is a reliable bellwether, but its trend is uncertain.
- Alibaba is full of potential, but comes with added complexity and volatility.
Always remember: there’s no need to chase every opportunity. Go after those that have a higher probability of meeting your investment goals.