What the coming week promises

The coming week on Wall Street could prove to be packed with events capable of setting the tone for markets for at least the next several weeks. The agenda includes several factors at once — from decisions by the US Supreme Court to corporate earnings and geopolitics tied to oil.

One of the key focal points for investors will be the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Cases under review potentially affect trade tariffs introduced during the Trump era, as well as the status and authority of certain Federal Reserve officials, including a case related to Lisa Cook.

Any signals of a possible easing of tariff policy or a shift in the balance of power around the Federal Reserve could be interpreted by markets as a move toward looser financial conditions. If investors see even an indirect possibility of interest rate cuts or an acceleration of that process, technology companies and small businesses, which are traditionally sensitive to borrowing costs, are likely to benefit first.

At the same time, attention will be focused on the World Economic Forum in Davos. While the forum itself does not make formal decisions, it is often where expectations and informal agreements take shape. Statements by politicians and leaders of major corporations on global trade, supply chains, artificial intelligence, and technology regulation can trigger moves in the shares of banks, industrial giants, and technology leaders. For markets, Davos matters more as an indicator of global elite sentiment than as a source of concrete news.

Venezuela and the energy sector will be another separate theme. Reports that Halliburton and SLB are discussing an expansion of service operations in the country are being interpreted by the market as a possible signal of a partial return of Western companies to the Venezuelan market. Even if the discussions are limited to services rather than large-scale production, this could support oilfield services stocks in the short term. For the energy sector as a whole, such news is important against the backdrop of efforts to balance the global oil market and constraints imposed by OPEC+.

Corporate earnings will also be a major driver. Particular attention will be paid to Netflix. Following the final episodes of “Stranger Things,” investors are looking for confirmation of subscriber growth and improved financial performance. The company has repeatedly shown that hit content can translate directly into numbers, so the report could set the tone for the entire streaming sector.

GE Aerospace is of interest to the market as a beneficiary of rising orders in the aviation industry. Against the backdrop of recovering passenger traffic and growing defense contracts, investors are hoping to see confirmation of resilient demand and continued revenue growth. In the healthcare sector, reports from Johnson & Johnson and Abbott are traditionally viewed as indicators of stability. These companies rarely surprise, but their forecasts often serve as an anchor for the defensive segment of the market.

Interactive Brokers also deserves a separate mention. Rising trading activity and commission income make the company attractive to investors, and the report may confirm that the broker is benefiting from volatility and an inflow of retail traders.

Overall, the week looks like a combination of macro and micro drivers. Court decisions and political signals shape expectations around rates and risk, while corporate earnings provide the market with concrete data. It is precisely weeks like this that often become turning points in investor sentiment, even if no major decisions are formally announced.