The S&P 500 Gains and Losses: Resmed Soars Amid Strong Demand for Sleep Devices

Key Takeaways

• The S&P 500 jumped 1.0% on Friday, April 26, shaking off hot inflation data and receiving a boost from big tech earnings strength.
• Shares of Resmed soared as the maker of devices that treat sleep apnea said the growing use of weight-loss drugs would not diminish its sales.
• Intel’s quarterly results exceeded forecasts, but shares dropped amid underwhelming guidance and uncertainties around the firm’s AI opportunity.

Despite the latest Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data showing inflation persisting in March, strong earnings reports from several big tech firms helped major U.S. equities indexes pop higher on Friday. The S&P 500 jumped 1.0% in the week’s final trading session, with the Nasdaq soaring 2.0% and the Dow up 0.4%.

Resmed Leads the Way

Resmed (RMD) shares led the S&P 500 higher, skyrocketing 18.9% after the health care technology company posted better-than-expected quarterly revenue and earnings results. Demand for Resmed’s products remained strong, particularly its sleep devices, and the company refuted concerns that the growing use of weight-loss drugs could subdue sales.

Alphabet’s Strong Performance

Google parent company Alphabet (GOOGL) beat first-quarter sales and profit estimates, with shares jumping 10.2%. The CEO highlighted Alphabet’s YouTube, search, and cloud businesses as drivers of the strong performance. Alphabet also announced its first-ever dividend and approved a massive stock buyback program. Alphabet Class C (GOOG) shares were up 10.0%.

Super Micro Computer Pre-Earnings Gains

Shares of high-performance server manufacturer Super Micro Computer (SMCI) added 8.9% ahead of the company’s quarterly earnings report, set to be released on Tuesday. The pre-earnings gains reversed some of the heavy losses posted by the stock last week after Super Micro chose not to preannounce its results, raising questions about how much the firm has capitalized on artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities.

Dexcom’s Disappointing Performance

Dexcom (DXCM), which makes continuous glucose monitors to help patients manage diabetes, reported better-than-expected first-quarter sales and profits, but its shares tumbled 9.9%, marking the S&P 500’s weakest performance on Friday. The midpoint of Dexcom’s updated full-year sales guidance remained below analysts’ forecasts, and operating expenses increased from the prior year.

Intel’s Underwhelming Guidance

Tech giant Intel (INTC) found itself in a similar situation, beating top- and bottom-line estimates for the first quarter but providing underwhelming guidance for the current quarter. Sluggish growth by Intel’s data center and AI segment raised questions about the firm’s capability to benefit from a potential AI boom. Intel shares slid 9.2% on the day.

Old Dominion Freight Line’s Decline

Shares of Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) fell 7.2%, extending losses posted earlier this week when the less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping firm posted lower-than-expected quarterly revenue. Analysts at TD Cowen lowered their price target on Old Dominion stock following the report.

Overall, despite some mixed results among companies in the S&P 500, the index managed to post gains on Friday, driven by strong performances from key players in the tech and healthcare sectors.

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