Earnings momentum could serve as a catalyst for stocks such as Applied Materials that are reporting their latest quarterly results next week. Next week serves as a breather after the earnings season mania of the past few weeks. Just eight stocks in the S & P 500 and one component in the Dow Jones Industrial Average are on the docket to post results. Still, analysts have been ratcheting higher expectations on certain names — suggesting positive momentum is on their side. CNBC Pro screened FactSet data to identify the S & P 500 companies posting quarterly results next week that have also seen accelerated earnings momentum recently. To be included in the table below, stocks had to meet the following criteria: Earnings estimates revised up by at least 10% in the past three and past six months Have an average analyst price target implying upside of at least 10% One stock seeing improved earnings estimates is Applied Materials, which reports Thursday. Analysts on average have increased their earnings estimates on the chipmaker by 54% over the past three months and 46% over the past six months. On Monday, Morgan Stanley reiterated its overweight rating on the name and listed it as a top pick. "Expectations are not low for AMAT, but we think AMAT keeps pace with peers with another strong beat & raise," wrote analyst Shane Brett. "We saw the JanQ print as a leap in the right direction; we think this print will be another leap." Brett's new price target of $454, up from $432, implies a gain of 11% from Thursday's close. Seaport Research also initiated coverage of Applied Materials at a buy rating and $500 price target on Monday. "We see AMAT as the best positioned of the global WFE suppliers," wrote analyst Jay Goldberg. "While they do not have ASML's monopoly in EUV lithography, they do have offerings in almost every other line of tools covering — deposition, etch, implant, CMP, cleaning and more. We think their role in advanced semis is almost as irreplaceable as ASML." Shares of the semiconductor manufacturer supplier have rallied 68% this year. Other names on the list include Constellation Energy , down 13% this year, and Ross Stores , up 26% in 2026. The energy company reports earnings Monday, while the off-price retail chain is on the docket for Thursday. Healthcare stock Steris also made the list.
