Tesla’s turnaround momentum and high-stakes guidance make it a buy candidate.
Intel’s overextended run and profit risk flag it as a sell.
U.S. stocks surged on Friday, as investors cheered Iran’s decision to open the Strait of Hormuz. The and the Nasdaq each rallied to their third straight record close, while the blue-chip Dow marked its highest finish since late February.
Source: Investing.com
For the week, the S&P 500 gained 4.5%, the Dow rose 3.2%, the tech-heavy rallied 6.8%, while the small-cap Russell 2000 jumped 5.6%.
The coming week will once again revolve around developments in the Middle East and oil prices after Iran said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is “under strict control” of Iranian forces, a big reversal from Friday.
New direct U.S.-Iran talks could take place in Pakistan on Monday, but Tehran said Saturday that no date has been set for further negotiations. The two-week ceasefire is due to end on Wednesday.
Besides geopolitics, reports on retail sales, initial jobless claims, and consumer sentiment highlight a relatively light week ahead for U.S. economic data.
Source: Investing.com
The Senate Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh and his appointment to be the Federal Reserve chairman on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, earnings season is hitting high gear. Noteworthy firms set to post results in the coming week include , , IBM, Boeing, GE Aerospace, UnitedHealth, AT&T, American Express, and United Airlines.
Regardless of which direction the market goes, below I highlight one stock likely to be in demand and another which could see fresh downside. Remember though, my timeframe is just for the week ahead, Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24.
Stock to Buy: Tesla
Tesla heads into its Q1 2026 earnings with solid momentum behind it. The stock recently snapped a prolonged losing streak and delivered its strongest weekly performance since last May, climbing sharply in the sessions leading up to the print and trading near the $400 level.
Source: Investing.com
Options pricing implies about a 6% move after the report, which is sizable, but not extreme for Tesla. If the company delivers in‑line to better‑than‑expected earnings and pairs that with constructive forward guidance and credible long‑term autonomy and product updates, the upside move could be larger as traders chase the turn.
Analysts expect adjusted earnings of $0.36 per share, which would represent a roughly 33% increase year-over-year from the softer Q1 2025 period. Revenue is projected to climb 15% to $22.28 billion.
Source: InvestingPro
More important than the top-line numbers, however, will be the guidance and strategic updates provided by CEO Elon Musk. Key topics include progress on the robotaxi program, Cybercab production, and Full Self-Driving deployment timelines.
The market will also look for any new details about the SpaceX IPO and its broader ties to the Tesla ecosystem. Any positive news here could ignite further bullish sentiment.
With Tesla increasingly viewed as an AI and robotics growth story rather than just an electric vehicle maker, a strong beat or constructive guidance on autonomy could drive further upside.
Trade Setup:
Entry: ~$401
Exit Target: $436 (gain +8.7%)
Stop-Loss: $387 (risk -3.5%)
Stock to Sell: Intel
Intel, on the other hand, is bracing for a more challenging earnings moment, making it a stock to avoid or sell this week. The company is slated to deliver its Q1 earnings on Thursday at 4:00PM ET. The options market is pricing in a potential +/-9% move for INTC stock post-earnings.
Source: InvestingPro
Consensus calls for Intel to report adjusted earnings per share of about $0.02, collapsing 87% from the year-ago period, with sales expected to dip 2% to $12.4 billion. Persistent weakness in PC demand and ongoing foundry losses are likely to weigh on margins.
Looking ahead, the company is expected to provide guidance in the $11.7–$12.7 billion range. Intel’s much-hyped comeback effort has yet to gain meaningful traction. Its foundry business remains a cash-burning operation facing fierce competition from TSMC and Samsung, while its GPU and AI accelerator offerings have failed to capture meaningful market share.
Source: Investing.com
INTC stock has enjoyed a strong rally so far in 2026, climbing 85% year-to-date. After such a pronounced run-up, the stock appears vulnerable to profit-taking or a pullback if the report or guidance falls short of expectations.
The RSI is an eye-watering 79.05—well into overbought territory. Volume has declined on recent up-days, hinting at waning buying pressure just as the stock approaches resistance at $70.33–$72.33 (upper Bollinger Band).
With weak results and guidance likely on deck, Intel represents a classic “sell the news” opportunity. Investors should consider reducing exposure before the earnings release.
Trade Setup:
Entry: ~$68.50
Exit Target: $59.13 (gain +13.7%)
Stop-Loss: $71.38 (risk -4.2%)
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Disclosure: This is not financial advice. Always conduct your own research.
At the time of writing, I am long on the S&P 500, and the via the , and the . I am also long on the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF. I regularly rebalance my portfolio of individual stocks and ETFs based on ongoing risk assessment of both the macroeconomic environment and companies’ financials.
The views discussed in this article are solely the opinion of the author and should not be taken as investment advice.
Follow Jesse Cohen on X/Twitter @JesseCohenInv for more stock market analysis and insight.
