4 Stocks to Watch (Oct 19-23): Earnings - SpaceX, Netflix, Meta, Tesla
AI Summary
Show More
Quickly grasp the article's content and gauge market sentiment in just 30 seconds!
Quarterly earnings reports often trigger big jumps/drops in stock prices - presenting potentially massive opportunities for short-term trades/long-term investments.
Tue, Oct 20: SpaceX earnings - after US markets close; stocks forecasted to move 6.8% up/down after
Tue, Oct 20: Netflix earnings - after US markets close; stocks forecasted to move 8.9% up/down after
Wed, Oct 21: Meta earnings - after US markets close; stocks forecasted to move 3.2% up/down after
Wed, Oct 21: Tesla earnings - after US markets close; stocks forecasted to move 5.6% up/down after
ICYMI: Last week, Tesla, JPMorgan, and Apple all hit their respective targets outlined on Mon, Oct 12th.
This week, markets will be sizing up key earnings out of SpaceX, Netflix, Meta, and Tesla.
For context, US stocks are rebounding at the start of the week, as oil prices ease lower after ending the previous trading week at a 5-month high.
Still, there is much more to come this week.
As we do every Monday, we distill the week's major earnings into your next potential trading opportunity - though this time it's 4 instead of the usual three assets to watch:
SpaceX to extend its rebound?
SpaceX reports its Q3 2026 results on Tuesday, October 20, after the US market closes.
Recall that its prior earnings announcement - the first one since its June 2026 IPO - did not go smoothly for SpaceX bulls (those hoping the asset's price will move higher).
Despite Q2 revenue beating estimates, SpaceX shares sank 13.6% on Aug 5th - the day after its previous earnings results - because AI spending was much higher than expected, weighing on cash flow.
The lesson: at SpaceX, it is not just about revenue - it is about whether Musk's AI ambitions are burning cash faster than the rocket business can generate it.
For proper context, SpaceX stocks have rebounded:
since its Q2 earnings: +34.9%
since its IPO: +8.2%
NOTE - SpaceX has 2 main businesses to watch:
Starlink: its satellite internet service, the biggest revenue driver
AI/compute segment: which lost $1.26 billion in Q2 - better than feared, but still a cash drain.
Starship is the rocket that connects both - it launches Starlink satellites and will eventually host AI data centres in orbit.
Key Themes to Watch
Starship revenue — the moment of truth: Q3 is the first quarter Starship generated actual revenue. Watch how much, and whether the margin profile is better than Falcon 9.
AI spending - fool me twice? The Q2 AI operating loss of $1.26B spooked investors despite beating estimates. Watch whether Q3 AI losses are narrowing - or widening again
Starlink subscribers: Q2 came in at 12 million subscribers, just below the 12.19 million estimate. Any acceleration here - driven by Starship's higher-capacity V3 satellites - would be a strong positive signal for the core business
Potential Scenarios
Markets predict SpaceX stock could move up/down 6.8% after its earnings release.
UPSIDE: SPCX could push back to $158 if Starship revenue surprises to the upside, AI losses narrow, and Starlink subscriber growth reaccelerates - also assuming the broader market's risk appetite remains intact.
DOWNSIDE: SPCX could slide toward $137.87 if AI spending again overshadows the revenue beat - repeating the Q2 pattern that sent shares sliding.
For the longer-term, analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predict that SpaceX stocks can climb another 52% over the next 12 months.
Netflix to hit 2-year low?
Netflix reports its Q3 2026 results on Tuesday, October 20, after the US market closes.
This is Netflix's most consequential earnings report in years!
Just last Wednesday (Oct 14th), the company announced roughly 1,000 job cuts - 6% of its global workforce - its biggest round of layoffs since 2022.
Days later, it replaced Bela Bajaria, its former chief creative officer, with Peter Rice, a veteran of Disney and Fox, effective Oct 26.
The message from management is clear: the current content strategy is not working.
Such growth concerns are clearly reflected in the NFLX stock price's 24.8% year-to-date decline.
Key Themes to Watch
Revenue growth — can it hit the 12% bar? Netflix guided for ~12% revenue growth in Q3. A miss here would be painful given the stock's already-weak setup
Ad tier momentum: The ad-supported tier is reportedly running ahead of the premium tier in subscriber additions. Watch for any update on ad revenue trajectory.
Engagement vs. YouTube: Consumers are apparently spend more time on YouTube and short-form social media.
Management's plan to address this - beyond the new content chief - is the key question on the earnings call.
Potential Scenarios
Markets predict Netflix stock could move up/down 8.9% after its earnings release.
UPSIDE: NFLX may punch back above its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) and hit a 1-month high around $77 if revenue hits or beats the 12% growth target and ad tier momentum accelerates.
DOWNSIDE: NFLX could hit a 2-year low around $64.50 if revenue misses guidance, engagement data disappoints, or the layoffs are read as a sign of deeper structural problems.
For the longer-term, analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predict that Netflix stocks can climb another 30% over the next 12 months.
Meta to move back towards record high?
Meta reports its Q3 2026 results on Wednesday, October 21, after the US market closes.
Meta has been on a tear since launching its Muse AI agent on September 8 - the stock is up 15.6% since that release.
This stock has also climbed about 7.5% so far in 2026, yet remains about 10.2% below its highest ever closing price set on August 12th, 2025.
The question for this week's earnings: is the AI spending paying off?
Key Themes to Watch
Advertising revenue - the engine: Any beat here would confirm AI is already boosting the core business.
The capex debate: Zuckerberg said he is prepared to spend $100–200B on AI. Watch the Q4 capex guidance - and beyond - closely.
Muse monetisation: Muse has reached 10.8 million cumulative downloads and held the #1 spot on the iOS App Store since September 28. Investors want a credible path to profitability.
Potential Scenarios
Markets predict Meta's share price could move up/down 3.2% after its earnings release.
READ MORE - published Oct 7th: New Record Highs - SP500, NAS100, Nvidia, and AMD
UPSIDE: META could push towards $737 - and close the gap with its record high - if Q3 revenue beats $63.8B and Q4 guidance comes in above the $64B buy-side expectation.
DOWNSIDE: META could pull back to around $691.50, and test support around its 50-day SMA (using Bybit perps pricing), if capex guidance for FY27 shocks to the upside, reigniting fears that AI spending is outpacing revenue growth.
READ MORE - published Fri, Oct 16th: See how the 50-day SMA offered recent support for Tesla, SP500, and BTC last week.
For the longer-term, analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predict that Meta stocks can climb another 14% over the next 12 months.
Tesla to return above 50-day SMA?
Tesla reports its Q3 2026 results on Wednesday, October 21, after the US market closes.
Despite initially soaring after its successful Roadster launch last week ...
TSLA then tumbled back below its 50-day SMA as oil prices surged to a 5-month high.
READ MORE - published Oct 14th: Can Tesla's "flying" Roadster help TSLA stocks soar?
Note that, for the past 2 months, TSLA has been adhering to a sideway range, mostly between $350 - $380.
Key Themes to Watch
Margins under pressure: AI and robotics spending has been squeezing Tesla's automotive gross margins. Any improvement here would be a positive surprise
Cybercab and robotaxi timeline: Investors are pressing hard on when the Cybercab goes on sale, how Tesla plans to handle insurance liability for its robotaxi fleet, and whether a Tesla van is in the works.
Optimus update: Goldman Sachs says the humanoid robot outlook matters more than Q3 earnings. Any production timeline or commercial deployment update for Optimus could move the stock more than the financial results.
NOTES:
The mania over the Roadster, which is a low-volume hypercar, is not expected to meaningfully add to future earnings, with production only slated for 2028.
Earlier this month, Tesla already announced higher-than-expected Q3 deliveries: 486,532 vehicles vs. 463,761 consensus.
Potential Scenarios
Markets predict Tesla stock could move up/down 5.6% after its earnings release.
UPSIDE: TSLA could hit $375.60 if margins improve, Cybercab gets a firm launch date, and/or Optimus deployment timelines are brought forward. Its 200-day SMA may also prove enticing as an upside target.
DOWNSIDE: TSLA could slip toward $335.75 if margins disappoint again and robotaxi/Optimus commentary is vague - repeating the Q2 pattern that sent shares to their late-July lows.
For the longer-term, analysts surveyed by Bloomberg predict that TSLA stocks can climb another 14.6% over the next 12 months.
ICYMI, last week - Tesla, JPMorgan, and Apple all hit our targets forecasted last Monday, Oct 12th.
DISCLAIMER: This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instruments or digital assets. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Your ability to access or use any products or services mentioned may be subject to the laws and regulatory requirements of your jurisdiction.
Grab Up to 100 USDT in Rewards
Also, enjoy 555% APR on Bybit Earn products!