4 月的美股财报季正降临在一个“不再满足于听故事”的市场。摩根大通 (JPMorgan) 已经以强劲的业绩拉高了门槛，现在的焦点正转向标普 500 指数的“动力室”：处于 AI 基础设施叙事核心的三家巨头。

为什么这一财报窗口对 AI 至关重要

微软、Alphabet 和英伟达不仅是 AI 周期的参与者，它们更是在构建其他企业所依赖的物理与软件架构：包括芯片、云区域、模型及工具。如果这些巨额支出注定要产生回报，那么第一波迹象理应在未来几周的季度业绩中开始显现。

每家公司都代表着一次不同的考验：

• 微软 (Microsoft)： 检验企业级 AI 的采用是否正在转化为实际的营收增长和利润率扩张。
• Alphabet： 检验从芯片、云端到分发渠道的“全栈模式”，究竟是持久的竞争优势，还是仅仅一个代价高昂的防御头寸。
• 英伟达 (NVIDIA)： 检验硬件周期是否依然保持强势、正在加速，还是已经开始进入平稳期。

在 2026 年，问题已不再是“AI 投资是否在发生”——资本承诺已经数额巨大且已完全公开。核心问题在于，这些支出产生回报的速度，是否快到足以证明这些豪赌的规模是合理的。

April’s U4 月的美股财报季正拉开序幕，而当下的市场追求的不仅仅是一个动听的故事。

正如 GO Markets 在最近的《国防股财报观察名单》中所强调的，本轮财报季标志着市场核心关注点发生了更广泛的转变。现在，投资者不再仅仅追求“不计代价的增长”，交易员们更渴望洞察潜藏在数据背后的真实信息。

为什么这三家公司至关重要？

在当前的市场环境下，特斯拉 (Tesla)、NextEra Energy 和埃克森美孚 (Exxon Mobil) 成为了焦点。它们分别代表了 2026 年的三大核心叙事：自动驾驶、电力需求以及原油供应风险。

• 特斯拉 (Tesla)： 市场正在评估其自动驾驶和能源业务是否足以支撑下一阶段的增长。
• NextEra Energy： 为观察电力需求激增以及满足该需求所需的基础设施建设提供了一个窗口。
• 埃克森美孚 (Exxon Mobil)： 在供应风险持续存在的背景下，处于原油与能源安全叙事的中心。

综合来看，这三家公司有助于解释市场关注点的转移趋势：现在的关键不再是谁的叙事最动人，而是谁能展现出真实的需求、更稳健的利润率，以及在日益复杂的宏观背景下依然坚韧的执行力。

在 2026 年，AI 驱动的电力需求正将公用事业、储能和电网容量推向聚光灯下；与此同时，原油供应风险也让**“能源安全”**重新回到了市场的核心对话之中。

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现状是：四月美股财报季拉开帷幕，但市场情绪远非寻常。正如 GO Markets 在《全球美股财报策略：交易者核心指南》中所述，随着市场关注点的深度迁移，本次财报期意义非凡。这不再仅仅关乎不惜代价地追逐增长，更在于探寻财务数字背后的深层逻辑。

置身 2026 年，这些财务信号正与“高摩擦”的宏观背景迎头相撞：

1. 地缘政治冲突： 中东局势持续紧张
2. 原油供应冲击： 布伦特原油突破 100 美元大关
3. 美联储动态： 中央银行仍受困于“粘性通胀”

转向“韧性增长”诚然，人工智能（AI）仍是市场的主旋律，也是吸引多数目光的“超级引擎”。但在喧嚣之下，资金正悄然流向那些更具“抗压性”的企业——即那些在逆境中依然表现稳健的行业领头羊。

当利率前景不明、能源市场承压时，摩根大通（JPMorgan Chase）以及主要的国防承包商等权重股的重要性愈发凸显。这些标的并非要取代人工智能的叙事地位，而是成为了交易者衡量风险偏好与盈利韧性的新维度。归根结底，市场正在寻找更稳健的资产锚点。

如果你在过去一年里密切关注市场，你会发现“不计成本追求增长”的时代已经宣告终结。2026年4月的财报周期正值市场重心发生结构性重构的关键时刻。现在，这已不再仅仅关乎损益表上的数字，更关乎隐藏在数字背后的深层信号。

随着利率不确定性的持续以及地缘政治冲击将油价推高至100美元以上，交易逻辑已从单纯的AI炒作转向对机构韧性和算力工业化的审视。对于澳大利亚、亚洲和拉丁美洲的交易者而言，这些财报结果将成为全球风险偏好及新兴“安全超级周期”的情绪风向标。

为何盘前 (BMO) 与盘后 (AMC) 发布时点至关重要

业绩在美股正规交易时段开启前发布，因此价格发现过程主要发生在流动性通常较为匮乏的盘前交易中，这往往会导致市场走势被放大。而 <strong>盘后 (AMC)</strong> 业绩在收盘后发布，这意味着市场反应会被压缩至次日早晨极短的盘前窗口内。了解公司选择在哪个时间段发布财报，其重要性不亚于分析财报的具体内容。

值得一问的是：这种显而易见的交易已经为完美定价了吗？

2026 年正展现出其作为“证伪之年”的特质。在过去两年中投入巨额资金布局人工智能的企业，现在必须向市场交出投资回报率（ROI）的实证答卷。市场已不再满足于单纯的人工智能投资规划，转而开始奖赏那些能展现由 AI 驱动实质性营收增长的确定性证据。

针对每一份财报，交易者应当采取更深层的评估维度：你是在对头条数据进行应激式反应，还是在评估该公司在物理 AI 供应链中的核心作用，抑或其作为潜在波动对冲工具的防御价值？这些是性质截然不同的分析逻辑，往往会导向完全相反的仓位部署决策。

Expected earnings date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026 (US, after market close) / ~8:00 am, Thursday, 26 February 2026 (AEDT)

NVIDIA’s upcoming earnings release is expected to revolve around data centre revenue growth, the sustainability of AI-related demand, gross margin trajectory, and forward guidance into fiscal year 2027 (FY2027).  

Markets are likely to focus on capital expenditure trends, supply capacity, and management’s AI infrastructure outlook.

Some market participants may also view NVIDIA’s results as a useful signal for broader AI-related investment sentiment, although outcomes can still be influenced by company-specific factors and wider market conditions.  

Key areas in focus

Data centre (AI chips)

The data centre segment continues to be NVIDIA’s primary growth driver. Markets are likely to monitor revenue growth rates, gross margins, and guidance around AI accelerator demand.  

Gaming

NVIDIA also sells graphics cards for gaming PCs. Markets will watch whether this part of the business remains steady and profitable, particularly alongside broader consumer and PC-cycle trends.  

Automotive and Professional Visualisation

These are smaller divisions linked to AI development, design software and autonomous driving. They are not typically the main driver of near-term results, but commentary may be watched for signs of longer-term growth and product momentum.  

Profit margins and costs

Markets will assess how profitable NVIDIA remains, particularly as AI-related investment and supply scaling continue. Margins are one factor closely watched alongside revenue growth, guidance, and broader risk sentiment.  

What happened last quarter

In its most recent quarterly update, NVIDIA reported strong year-on-year revenue growth, led primarily by data centre demand.

Management commentary and subsequent reporting referenced ongoing strength in AI accelerator demand and referenced continued supply-scaling initiatives.  

Last earnings key highlights

• Revenue: US$57.0 billion

• Earnings per share (EPS): US$1.30 (diluted)

• Data centre revenue: US$51.2 billion

• Gross margin: 73.4%

• Operating income: US$36.0 billion

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What analysts expect this quarter

Bloomberg consensus estimates point to continued year-on-year revenue growth in the upcoming report, with markets focused on data centre performance and forward guidance into FY2027.  

Bloomberg consensus reference point:  

• EPS: about US$1.52

• Revenue: about US$65.5 billion

• Full-year FY2027 EPS: about US$7.66

*All above points observed as of 16 February 2026.

Analysts broadly expect sustained AI-related demand, while attention remains on supply dynamics and the pace of any demand normalisation.  

Market-implied expectations

Listed options were pricing an indicative move of approximately ±7% to ±8% around the earnings release, based on near-dated, at-the-money (ATM) options-implied expected-move estimates. Implied volatility was approximately 48% annualised.

What this means for Australian investors

NVIDIA’s earnings may influence near-term sentiment and volatility across major US equity indices, including the NASDAQ 100, with potential spillover into the Asia session following the release.

It may also influence sentiment toward ASX-listed technology-exposed companies and ETFs with exposure to US large-cap growth sectors, although correlations can shift quickly around major events.

Australian-based investors may also wish to factor in AUD/USD currency moves, which can affect the local-currency translation of offshore equities and ETFs.

Important risk note

Immediately after the US close and into the early Asia session, Nasdaq 100 (NDX) futures and related CFD pricing can reflect thinner liquidity, wider spreads, and sharper repricing around new information.

Such an environment can increase gap risk and execution uncertainty relative to regular-hours conditions.

Expected earnings date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026 (US, after market close) / ~8:00 am, Thursday, 5 February 2026 (AEDT)

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Alphabet’s earnings provide insight into global digital advertising demand, enterprise cloud spending, and broader technology-sector investment trends. 

As Google Search and YouTube are widely used by both consumers and businesses, results are often used as one input when assessing online activity and corporate marketing budgets, alongside other indicators. 

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Key areas in focus

Search

Search advertising remains Alphabet’s largest revenue driver. Markets are likely to focus on ad growth rates, pricing metrics such as cost-per-click, and overall advertiser demand across sectors such as retail, travel, and small-to-medium businesses.

YouTube

YouTube contributes to both advertising and subscription revenue. Markets commonly monitor advertising momentum, engagement trends, and monetisation developments as indicators of digital media conditions and brand spending.  

Google Cloud

Sustained Cloud profitability is often discussed as a factor that may influence longer-term earnings expectations, though outcomes remain uncertain. Markets are expected to focus on revenue growth, enterprise adoption trends, and operating margins. 

Other bets

Initiatives such as autonomous driving and life sciences, while typically smaller contributors to revenue, markets may still watch spending levels and progress updates as indicators of capital allocation and cost discipline. 

Cost and margin framework

Management has previously flagged elevated capex tied to AI infrastructure, including data centres, specialised chips, and computing capacity. Traffic acquisition costs, staffing levels, and infrastructure expansion are also key variables influencing profitability. 

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What happened last quarter

Alphabet’s most recent quarterly update highlighted advertising trends, Cloud profitability, and continued increases in capex to support AI initiatives. 

Management commentary has indicated that infrastructure spending is intended to support long-term competitiveness, while the market continues to assess the near-term margin trade-offs.  

Last earnings key highlights

For reported figures and segment detail from the most recent quarter, refer to Alphabet’s latest earnings release materials, including revenue, earnings per share (EPS), Services mix, Cloud operating income, and capex commentary. 

• Revenue: US$102.35 billion
• EPS: US$2.87
• Operating income: US$31.23 billion
• Services revenue: US$87.05 billion
• Cloud revenue: US$15.16 billion

Google Services revenues and operating income Q3 2025 | Alphabet earnings release

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What’s expected this quarter

Bloomberg consensus estimates moderate year-on-year (YoY) revenue growth and higher EPS versus the prior-year quarter, with ongoing focus on operating margins given AI-related investment. 

Bloomberg consensus reference points: 

• EPS: low-to-mid US$2 range
• Revenue: high US$80 billion to low US$90 billion range
• Capex: expected to remain elevated

*All above points observed as of 31 January 2026.

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Market-implied expectations

Listed options implied an indicative expected move of around ±4% to ±6% over the relevant near-dated expiry window. Movements derived from option prices observed at 11:00 am AEDT, 2 February 2026.

These are market-implied estimates and may change. Actual post-earnings price moves can be larger or smaller.

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What this means for Australian market participants

Alphabet’s earnings can influence near-term sentiment across major US equity indices, particularly Nasdaq-linked products, with potential spillover into the Asia session following the release.

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Important risk note

Immediately after the US close and into the early Asia session, Nasdaq 100 (NDX) futures and related CFD pricing can reflect thinner liquidity, wider spreads, and sharper repricing around new information. 

Such an environment can increase gap risk and execution uncertainty relative to regular-hours conditions.