The stock market this week (November 2 to 6, 2026) has three big tests. The US midterm elections are on Tuesday, November 3. The October jobs report lands on Friday, November 6. In between, AMD, Qualcomm, Uber, Airbnb and dozens more report earnings. The calendar below comes from CNBC's week-ahead guide.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Markets move fast, so check live prices and official releases before you trade.
Stock market this week: the big three
- Midterm elections (Tue, Nov 3): the results set the balance of power in Congress. CNBC says a result that favours the AI data centre build-out could spark a relief rally in that trade.
- Jobs report (Fri, Nov 6, 8:30 a.m. ET): economists expect about 75,000 new jobs and unemployment steady at 4.2%, per CNBC.
- Earnings: a heavy week, led by chip and tech names after a weak run for the sector.
Day-by-day calendar
| Day | Economic data | Key earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 2 | ISM Manufacturing (10 a.m.) | After close: Apple, Palantir, Vertex, onsemi |
| Tue, Nov 3 | JOLTS, factory orders (10 a.m.); Election Day | Before: Pfizer, Shopify, Ferrari. After: AMD, Super Micro, Arista, Booking, Block |
| Wed, Nov 4 | ADP payrolls (8:15 a.m.), ISM Services (10 a.m.) | Before: Uber, CVS, McDonald's, Novo Nordisk. After: Qualcomm, DoorDash, Expedia |
| Thu, Nov 5 | Jobless claims (8:30 a.m.) | Before: Sony, ConocoPhillips, Cigna. After: Airbnb, Lyft, Live Nation |
| Fri, Nov 6 | October jobs report (8:30 a.m.) | Before: Humana, Charter, Vistra |
Why the jobs report matters more than usual
The Fed held rates on October 28, but two officials voted for a hike. As of October 30, CME FedWatch put the odds of a December hike at just under 75%, per CNBC. A strong jobs number would back the case for a hike. A weak one could pull those odds down. Either way, expect bond yields and rate-sensitive stocks to react quickly at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
The earnings to watch
- AMD (Tue): the first big chip report since Intel's sharp drop. Traders will look for AI demand and the outlook.
- Qualcomm (Wed): phone and PC chip demand, after Intel warned of PC weakness.
- Uber and DoorDash (Wed): a read on consumer spending.
- Airbnb (Thu): travel demand heading into the holidays.
- Apple (Mon): its first call under CEO John Ternus, covering demand, margins and Services.
Other risks this week
- Chip stocks: the sector has lost trillions in value since early October.
- Oil: CNBC notes that new military action involving Iran could lift oil prices, yields and inflation.
- Election-night volatility: futures can swing overnight as results come in.
How to prepare
- Note the report time (before the open or after the close) for any stock you hold.
- Expect wider price swings around earnings and the jobs report.
- Check whether your broker's order types work in pre-market and after-hours trading.
- Keep position sizes sensible on high-event days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the jobs report forecast?
CNBC says economists expect about 75,000 new jobs in October, with unemployment steady at 4.2%.
When is the jobs report this week?
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Which big companies report earnings this week?
AMD, Qualcomm, Uber, Airbnb, Pfizer, Shopify, McDonald's, DoorDash and Sony are among them.
Is the stock market open on Election Day?
Yes. US stock markets are open on Election Day.
Summary
The stock market this week turns on the midterm results, AMD and Qualcomm earnings and Friday's jobs report. With a December Fed hike seen as likely, the jobs number could move bonds and stocks sharply. Know your report times and plan for volatility.
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Sources
Hamza
Editorial teamWe cover gaming, software, tech, AI and trading. Every story links to its primary sources, and rumours are labelled as such. Spotted a mistake? Let us know and we will correct it.
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