Capital.com Research Team

Big Tech Earnings Set to Steer US Markets into Year-End.

The S&P 500 finished the day higher by around 60 bps but, for the second time this week, failed to surpass the 6,750 level.

Stocks increased on Monday, 20 October, as implied volatility levels dropped sharply ahead of VIX options expiry on Wednesday morning, which helped boost the stock market.

Netflix approaches a key technical area as it approaches Q3 earnings, with the technical setup suggesting this could be a make-or-break moment for the stock.

Options expiration is now behind us, which should lead to a broader trading range across the stock market and potentially greater volatility.

October 16, 2025, marked a significant downturn for the broader financial sector since April 2025, driven by renewed credit risk concerns, including disclosures of bad loans, fraud allegations, and potential defaults at regional banks like Zions Bancorporation.

Nvidia has become one of the most important stock for global equity sentiment, with unprecedented influence due to its sheer market weight and its critical role in both major indices and the growth narratives driving thematic and sector ETF flows.

The SPX continues to face resistance above the 6700 level, with buyers repeatedly attempting to support the market but failing to generate sustained momentum beyond that mark.

Volatility in the stock market remained very high on Wednesday, 15 October, with sharp moves in both directions as equities searched for a clear path forward ahead of October’s option expiry.

Volatility appears to be in the driver’s seat for markets, with trade-related headlines unsettling investors late in the session on 14 October.