Market Notes
Earnings and markets, through a long-term lens
Weekly notes on earnings reports and market developments from widely followed companies — what was actually said and reported, and what it means for investors focused on quality businesses and long-term compounding rather than headlines.
Companies discussed are covered for educational purposes only. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell any security. One or more of the securities discussed may be held in client accounts managed by VCP Financial; holdings differ by client and are subject to change.
Market Notes: What Apple's, AMD's and Palantir's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Three widely followed companies reported last week. Here is what the filings and calls said about growth, costs and risk, including the caveats.
Market Notes: What Alphabet's, Microsoft's, Eli Lilly's and Visa's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Four widely followed companies reported last week. Here is what the filings and calls said about growth, spending and risk, including the caveats.
Market Notes: What Tesla's, Meta's, IBM's, Lockheed Martin's and SpaceX's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Five widely followed companies reported this week. Here is what the numbers and the calls said, including the caveats.
Market Notes: What JPMorgan's, Goldman's, ASML's and TSMC's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Two big banks, a chip-equipment maker and a chip manufacturer reported last week. Here is what the numbers and the calls said, including the caveats.
Market Notes: What Nike's and Micron's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Nike guided to a high-single-digit revenue decline while restructuring; Micron reported revenue of $54.2 billion on AI-driven memory demand. Two very different reports, side by side.
Market Notes: What Costco's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Costco closed out fiscal 2026 with double-digit sales growth and a 15% increase in quarterly earnings per share, but a one-time tariff-refund benefit, a slight margin dip, and slowing membership growth show where that growth came from.
Q2 2026 Earnings Season Wrap: What the Headline Numbers Did and Didn't Tell Long-Term Investors
S&P 500 earnings grew 52% in Q2 2026, the fastest since 2021 — but two companies' investment gains supplied a large share of it. Four themes from the completed season, Nvidia included.
Market Notes: What SpaceX, AMD, Palantir, and Lilly's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
The first week of August 2026 in plain English — SpaceX's debut quarter as a public company, AMD's record that got sold, Palantir's 93% growth, and Lilly's price-versus-volume story.
Market Notes: What Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors
Big Tech's July 2026 earnings week in plain English — the numbers Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon reported, the one-time items behind the headlines, and lessons for long-term investors.
Market Notes: What Alphabet, Tesla, IBM, and Intel's Earnings Told Long-Term Investors This Week
A look at what Alphabet, Tesla, IBM, and Intel actually reported in late July 2026 — the numbers, the one-time items that distorted them, and what durable-business investors can learn.
Market Notes: What the Banks, the Chipmakers, and UnitedHealth Told Long-Term Investors This Week
A look at what JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, TSMC, ASML, and UnitedHealth actually reported in mid-July 2026 — the numbers, the caveats, and what durable-business investors can learn.