1q26 Earnings Season and AI Capex Cycle Updated

1q26 Earnings Season and AI Capex Cycle Updated

From Stock Talk by Oak Harvest Financial Group

May 8, 2026 · 8 min · Episode 347

About this episode

Chris Perras discusses the Q1 2026 earnings season and the potential for continued growth in the AI capex cycle.

I’m breaking down the latest Q1 2026 earnings season update and why the AI capex boom may still have room to run. I cover accelerating S&P 500 earnings, record profit margins, rising EPS estimates, and how today’s cycle compares to the late-1990s Dotcom capex run. I also explain why higher oil prices and interest rates remain headwinds, but not roadblocks, when earnings growth is this strong. In this Stock Talk, I bring the focus back to what has historically mattered most for stock prices over time: earnings. While headlines, geopolitics, oil prices, and Federal Reserve policy can create short-term volatility, I walk through current FactSet earnings data showing that many S&P 500 companies are reporting positive earnings and revenue surprises, profit margins remain strong, and leadership is concentrated in areas like technology, materials, financials, and industrials. I also explain why forward earnings estimates may suggest continued acceleration in revenue and EPS growth through 2026, while reminding investors that estimates can change and should not be treated as guarantees. The key takeaway is simple: in uncertain markets, it may help to stay disciplined…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Perras

Topics covered

  • earnings season
  • AI capex cycle
  • S&P 500 earnings
  • profit margins
  • EPS estimates
  • market fundamentals

Keywords

  • earnings growth
  • AI capex
  • S&P 500
  • profit margins
  • EPS estimates
  • market volatility
  • investment strategy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oak Harvest Financial Group, S&P 500, FactSet

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