Earnings This Week: Dec 15–19, 2025
Earnings This Week: December 15-19, 2025 – Must-Watch Reports from Nike, Micron, Accenture, and More
Key Points to Kick Off Your Week
- AI Fuels Tech Optimism: Micron's report could confirm booming demand for high-bandwidth memory, with revenue surging 44%—a potential catalyst for semis amid AI hype.
- Consumer Sector in Flux: Nike faces a tough quarter with EPS down over 50%, but early turnaround signs might surprise; Carnival's yield growth hints at cruise recovery.
- Housing and Logistics Hold Steady: Lennar's softer sales reflect high rates, yet FedEx's DRIVE programme promises margin gains, offering stability in cyclicals.
- Guidance Will Steal the Show: Look beyond numbers to 2026 outlooks—Accenture's AI bookings could signal consulting rebound, influencing broader market sentiment.
- Volatility Ahead: Implied moves top 10% for MU and NKE; position early with options if trading, or hold core holdings for long-term plays.
As we hit mid-December 2025, the stock market feels like that last push before holiday cheer—or chaos. With the S&P 500 hovering near record highs, investors are zeroing in on this week’s earnings reports (December 15–19). The reason? These results could determine whether the rally has the fuel to continue—or finally runs out of steam. It's the final big batch before year-end tax selling, and Santa Claus rallies kick in. But don't get too cosy: reports from heavyweights like Nike, Micron, and Accenture could swing sectors from tech to retail.
Picture this: You're at a year-end party, and the chat turns to stocks. "Heard about Nike's China slump?" someone asks. Or, "Micron's AI chips—game-changer or hype?" That's the vibe right now. Earnings aren't just numbers; they're stories of resilience amid inflation cooling and rate cut hopes. This week packs 70+ reports, but we'll zoom in on the must-watches. We'll break down expectations, risks, and tips—think of it as your cheat sheet for smarter trades.
Over the past year, earnings beats have driven 60% of S&P gains, per Nasdaq data. Yet, misses in consumer staples like General Mills could echo broader spending worries. Housing? Lennar's preview screams caution with rates biting buyers. Logistics? FedEx's cost cuts might shine, but trade tensions loom.
We'll dive day-by-day, with real stats, analyst takes, and practical advice. Whether you're a day trader eyeing implied moves or a buy-and-hold type building for 2026, there's gold here. Ready? Let's unpack earnings this week
Monday, December 15: A Quiet Start with Niche Plays
Kicking off earnings this week on a subdued note, Monday features smaller caps like MindWalk Holdings (HYFT) and Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT). No fireworks from megacaps, but keep an eye—micro-caps can surprise with outsized moves.
Spotlight: MindWalk Holdings (HYFT) – Tech Services in Focus
HYFT reports Q2 2026 pre-market. Analysts peg EPS at -$0.01, a 86% improvement from last year. Revenue? Around $5M, flat YoY. As a tech services firm, HYFT's tied to enterprise spend—think cloud tweaks amid AI shifts.
What to Watch: Guidance on client wins. With Zacks noting a P/E of -20.78 vs. industry 8.4, undervalued? Maybe, if AI contracts flow.
Tip: Low float means volatility—consider straddles if playing options. For longs, pair with broader tech ETFs like XLK.
After close, Abivax (ABVX) and Navan (NAVN) chime in. ABVX, a biotech, eyes pipeline updates; NAVN, travel tech, could flag holiday bookings. Volume here? Light, but NAVN's $3.5B cap makes it watchable.
Monday sets a tone: Steady, not spectacular. Use it to position for Tuesday's housing heat.
Tuesday, December 16: Housing Takes Centre Stage with Lennar
Tuesday ramps up with Lennar (LEN) after close—a bellwether for real estate amid sticky rates. Expect 6% implied move; housing data's been mixed, with starts up 2% last month but permits flat.
Deep Dive: Lennar (LEN) Q4 2025 – Margins Under Pressure
LEN's fiscal Q4 (ended Nov 30) forecasts EPS at $2.23, down 45% YoY—ouch, from $4.03. Revenue? $9.13B, -8.3%. Why the slide? High mortgage rates (6.8% average) crimp demand; incentives hit 13% of sales price in Q3.
But there are silver linings. Management guidance points to an order rebound in the 20K–21K range. Gross margins, while lower at 17.5% versus 22.1% a year ago, were broadly stable compared with Q3. Zacks currently rates the stock a Rank #3 (Hold), noting that declining revenues are being partly offset by improving order trends—suggesting near-term caution, but signs of potential stabilisation ahead.
Historical Context: Remember Deere (DE) last quarter? They beat EPS by 5% ($7.62 vs. $7.25) on farm equipment resilience, lifting shares 3%. LEN could echo if guidance tops—target $127 PT, up 6% from $119.
Practical Tips:
- Bull Case: Beat on orders? Buy dips; housing shortage (4M units) supports long-term.
- Bear Case: Miss margins? Rates stay high—short or wait for Fed cuts.
- Trade Idea: LEN calls if pre-report sentiment flips positive on X (search #LENearnings).
Pre-open: Duluth Trading (DLTH) and Organigram (OGI) report. DLTH's casual wear eyes holiday sales; OGI, cannabis, pegs EPS at -$0.01 (+75% YoY).
Tuesday's LEN could sway homebuilders like D.R. Horton—watch for ripple effects.
Wednesday, December 17: Semis and Staples – Micron Steals the Spotlight
Midweek heats with Micron (MU) after close, plus General Mills (GIS) and Jabil (JBL) pre-open. Semis volatility? MU's 11% implied move screams it.
Micron (MU) Q1 2026: AI Supercycle in Play?
MU's fiscal Q1 (ended Nov) eyes EPS $3.83, +114% YoY; revenue $12.57B, +44%. Driver? HBM chips for AI servers—demand's structural, per management. Citi's PT hiked to $300, citing sold-out 2026 HBM.
Guidance: $12.5B revenue (±$300M), EPS $3.75—consensus tops it, but beat-and-raise odds are high. Risks? Supply tightness eases, per Seeking Alpha.
Stats Spotlight: MU's up 187% YTD on AI tailwinds. Like Nvidia's 2023 run (EPS +629%), MU could extend if HBM volumes ramp.
Tips for Traders:
- Long Play: Calls above $150 if AI narrative holds—pair with SMH ETF.
- Hedge: Puts if guidance misses on consumer DRAM weakness.
- Internal Link Suggestion: Our 2025 AI Stocks Guide for deeper dives.
Pre-open: JBL (EPS $2.50, +20%; revenue +5%) gauges supply chains; GIS (EPS $1.12, flat; revenue -1%) tests staples resilience.
Wednesday's MU could lift semis 2-3% on a beat—position accordingly.
Thursday, December 18: Power-Packed Day – Accenture, Nike, and FedEx
Thursday's a beast: Accenture (ACN) and Darden (DRI) pre-open, Nike (NKE), FedEx (FDX) after. Implied moves? ACN 8%, NKE 9%, FDX 7%.
Accenture (ACN) Q1 2026: AI Bookings to the Rescue?
Accenture’s fiscal Q1 outlook points to steady growth:
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EPS: $3.74, up 4% year on year
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Revenue: $18.6 billion, up 5%
The AI narrative remains a powerful driver. GenAI bookings have already reached $5.9 B year-to-date, with S&P projecting growth to $9.3 B by 2026, highlighting the accelerating momentum in enterprise AI adoption.
Regionally, momentum is broad-based, with Americas revenue up 4.2% and EMEA up 4.6%, reinforcing confidence in Accenture’s diversified global demand.
But caution: FY26 growth 2-5%, per Seeking Alpha's "value trap" tag. PEG 33% above peers.
Example: Like IBM's 15% AI revenue jump last quarter, ACN could guide higher—PT $400+.
Tips:
- Buy Signal: Backlog beats? Add shares; consulting is undervalued.
- Sell If: No AI upside—rotate to pure plays like MSFT.
- External Source: Accenture IR for call replay.
Nike (NKE) Q2 2026: Turnaround Tease or Trouble?
NKE's Q2 eyes EPS $0.37, -53%; revenue $12.15B, -2%. China's weakness and promotions drag; Converse down 18%. But Q1 showed sportswear traction.
Guidance: Low-single-digit decline, +1% FX tailwind. Jefferies bullish: Q3 guide tops consensus.
Deere Parallel: DE's Q3 beat (revenue +12%) on ag recovery lifted 4%; NKE could if wholesale rebounds.
Tips:
- Bullet: Innovation pipeline—Air Max? Bullish.
- Bullet: China macro—bearish; hedge with puts.
- Internal: Retail Earnings Roundup.
Post-close: FDX (EPS $4.05, flat; revenue +4%) on DRIVE savings ($1B hit from tariffs). Pre: DRI (EPS $2.80, +5%) tests dining spend.
Thursday could see 1% S&P swings—stay nimble.
Friday, December 19: Wrapping with Paychex and Carnival
Friday closes with Carnival (CCL), Paychex (PAYX), and Conagra (CAG). Lighter volume, but guidance matters for the 2026 opens.
Carnival (CCL) Q4 2025: Yields Ahoy?
CCL's Q4 pegs EPS $0.25 (+78%); revenue $6.38B (+10%). Net yields +2.75%, costs +3.25%. Goldman holds $31 PT (Buy).
Debt? $28B, but FCF $2B YTD. 2026 capacity flat aids pricing.
Tips:
- Bullet: Loyalty headwinds? Monitor.
- Bullet: Cruise boom—long CCL.
- External: Yahoo Finance CCL.
PAYX (EPS $1.23, +5%; revenue +3%) on payroll trends; CAG (EPS $0.65, flat) on packaged goods.
Broader Trends and Stats: What History Tells Us
Earnings this week spotlight recovery themes. Table below recaps S&P sector beats (last 4Q):
| Sector | Beat Rate | Avg Move |
|---|---|---|
| Tech | 72% | +4.2% |
| Consumer | 55% | -2.1% |
| Industrials | 68% | +3.5% |
Source: Earnings Whispers. Deere's Q3? +12% revenue on exports, shares +3%—parallels FDX's trade bets.
Tips: Use 50-day MA for entries; diversify with VTI.
Internal: 2025 Earnings Calendar.
Quick Takeaways
- Tech Rebound Potential: Micron's Q1 report may highlight AI-driven growth, with EPS up 114% year-over-year, but high expectations could spark swings.
- Consumer Pressures: Nike and Carnival face mixed outlooks—Nike down 1.7% in revenue amid China woes, while Carnival eyes yield gains.
- Housing and Logistics Stability: Lennar signals softer demand with 8% revenue drop, but FedEx's cost savings could steady transport shares.
- Overall Market Impact: Focus on guidance for 2026; beats in AI and yields might lift indices, per analyst previews.
Daily Earnings Snapshot
| Date | Key Reporters | Expected EPS | Revenue Change (YoY) | Implied Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16 | Lennar (LEN) | $2.23 (-45%) | -8.3% | ±6% |
| Dec 17 | Micron (MU) | $3.83 (+114%) | +44% | ±11% |
| Dec 18 | Accenture (ACN), Nike (NKE) | ACN: $3.74 (+4%); NKE: $0.37 (-53%) | ACN: +5%; NKE: -2% | ACN: ±8%; NKE: ±9% |
| Dec 19 | FedEx (FDX), Carnival (CCL) | FDX: $4.05 (flat); CCL: $0.25 | FDX: +4%; CCL: +10% | FDX: ±7%; CCL: ±8% |
Investment Tips
- Watch Guidance: 2026 outlooks on AI, yields, and costs will drive post-earnings reactions—align with your risk tolerance.
- Sector Plays: Bullish on semis (MU)? Consider calls. Cautious on retail (NKE)? Hedge with puts.
- Broader Context: Fed rate hints and holiday data add layers; diversify beyond single stocks.
Research suggests these reports lean toward modest beats in tech but challenges in consumer, keeping markets approachable yet unpredictable.
Expanded FAQs: Trending Questions on Earnings This Week
Q: Will Micron's earnings confirm the AI boom? A: Likely yes—HBM demands sold out for 2026. Expect 10%+ move; watch DRAM pricing.
Q: Is Nike a buy post-earnings? A: Cautious hold. Turnaround's early; China risks linger. PTs average $85, up 25%.
Q: How might FedEx impact shipping stocks? A: Positive if DRIVE saves hit $2B. Tariffs? $1B drag, but EPS flat signals resilience.
Q: What's the big risk for Carnival? A: Debt at $28B, but yields +3% offset. 2026 capacity freeze aids.
Q: Accenture vs. peers—undervalued? A: Somewhat; AI bookings $6B, but growth 2-5%. PEG high—wait for guide.
Q: Trending: Any under-the-radar picks? A: Jabil (supply chain proxy) or Paychex (payroll stability). X chatter hot on MU/NKE volatility.
Conclusion: Navigate with Confidence
Earnings this week, December 15-19, 2025, blend opportunity and caution—AI lifts MU/ACN, but NKE/CCL test consumers. Key? Guidance over headlines. Whether trading swings or holding blue-chips, arm yourself with previews.
Ready to act? Subscribe for real-time alerts, or drop a comment: Which report excites you most? Let's chat markets.
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