Key metrics for Apple and Palantir earnings reports

Both Apple and Palantir are set to announce their quarterly results after trading hours today, with earnings calls slated for 5 PM Eastern. The primary expectations and data compared to the previous year are detailed below. The consensus figures presented originate from MarketBeat, as estimates can differ across providers.

Apple revenue forecast to climb roughly 11%

The consensus view for Apple's fiscal Q4 stands as follows:

• Earnings per share of $1.99, compared to $1.85 in the year-ago period, marking a 7.6% advance.

• Revenue of $113.40 billion versus $102.47 billion a year earlier, a gain of 10.7%.

These figures indicate that earnings growth is lagging behind revenue expansion, placing profitability margins under scrutiny. Traders will be observing how product demand and the Services segment contribute to profitability, as well as the management's commentary on the crucial holiday quarter in December.

For context, the year-ago September quarter saw Apple report $49.03 billion from iPhone sales, $28.75 billion from Services, and $14.49 billion from Greater China. These metrics will serve as supplementary benchmarks when the official numbers emerge.

Regarding the stock price, Apple finished 2025 at $271.86. The current trading level is approximately $338, pushing the shares $66.14, or 24.3%, higher year-to-date excluding dividends. This means Apple faces the earnings report following a considerable annual advance.

Apple's technical position.

From a technical standpoint, the stock sits beneath its 200-hour moving average ($340.23) and 100-hour moving average ($344.34). Remaining under these thresholds keeps the advantage with sellers, at least over the near term. To the downside, the rising 100-day moving average is at $321.92, roughly 4.7% beneath the current level. That average was last approached on June 25 when the stock traded much lower at $275.56.

Palantir growth expectations point to another steep surge

Analyst projections for Palantir's Q3 include:

• Adjusted EPS at $0.41, compared to $0.21 in the same period last year, an expected surge of 95.2%.

• Revenue forecast at $2.18 billion, up from $1.181 billion a year ago, an anticipated rise of 84.6%.

The comparison on adjusted EPS warrants attention. In the prior year's quarter, Palantir posted GAAP EPS of $0.18 and adjusted EPS of $0.21. The current $0.41 estimate is benchmarked against that adjusted number.

The consensus revenue projection already exceeds the company's own guidance range of $2.160 billion to $2.164 billion. The $2.18 billion figure is roughly $16 million above the high end of that range. Consequently, merely hitting management's revenue target would miss the level analysts are estimating.

Forward-looking guidance from the company will be another vital gauge. Palantir's current full-year framework projects revenue of $8.150 billion to $8.158 billion, U.S. commercial revenue surpassing $3.424 billion, and adjusted free cash flow of $4.5 billion to $4.7 billion. Traders will monitor if these projections are increased.

For further year-over-year points of reference, U.S. commercial revenue was $397 million, U.S. government revenue was $486 million, and the adjusted operating margin came in at 51%. These figures will reveal how widespread growth is and what share flows into operating profit.

Palantir ended 2025 trading at $177.75. The current stock price is $180.82, making the shares $3.07, or 1.727%, higher on a year-to-date basis. Even with the strong growth forecast in earnings and revenue, the stock trades just slightly above its year-end closing figure.

A technical assessment of Palantir

From a technical view, the stock slipped below its converged 100-hour and 200-hour moving averages on Friday, putting sellers back in command. That negative momentum persisted into today, with the price falling $3.17 to $180.85.

The 100-hour and 200-hour moving averages are grouped around $195, creating a pivotal zone for both buyers and sellers. A sustained move above these averages would tilt the technical bias toward buyers and enable a challenge to the October record high of $212.94, the stock's all-time peak. Until that is achieved, sellers keep the technical edge.

To the downside, the 100-day moving average of $162.92 stands as the next critical support benchmark, approximately 9.9% under the present price. A decline toward that level would put longer-term buyers' willingness to defend it and slow the drop to the test.

For context, the stock hit its annual low of $106.37 on June 25. The subsequent climb to $212.94 emphasizes the magnitude of this year's price fluctuations and the need to set risk levels based on key technical indicators.