Alphabet, Intel results in focus for AI trade as US earnings rev up

The article says Alphabet and Intel upcoming earnings are key focal points for investors because they could influence the AI trade and broader market sentiment. Alphabet’s results will be watched for any change in its heavy AI infrastructure and data-center spending, since pullbacks could ripple across the AI ecosystem. Intel and Texas Instruments are also important given the sharp rally in semiconductor shares this year and the sector’s large index weightings. The piece notes that S&P 500 earnings are expected to rise 25.7% in Q2, helping support the market near record highs despite geopolitical uncertainty around the Iran war and ahead of the Fed meeting later in July. Cooler U.S. inflation data eased some rate-hike fears, but energy and inflation risks remain in focus.