Stocks To Watch – 5/18/2026
The information provided in this Weekly Stocks to Watch list is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial advice, investment recommendations, or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Trading and investing involve significant risk, and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Always conduct your own research or consult with a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
A lot of great setups in play, especially from previous week's watch lists. Be sure to study up!
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Options trading involves substantial risk of loss. Percentage shown reflects the maximum opportunity the contract reached since the time it was alerted and does not represent the active value of the alert at this time.
Weekly Market Brief
Last Week in Review:
The week of May 11–15, 2026, began with a risk-on sentiment, as major U.S. stock indexes reached new record highs, driven by strong earnings reports and stable oil prices. However, the release of hotter-than-expected inflation data later in the week shifted the market tone. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April rose to 3.8% year-over-year, the highest since May 2023, primarily due to surging energy costs linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions. This inflationary pressure led to a selloff on Friday, with the S&P 500 falling 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 1.5%. Despite this pullback, the S&P 500 managed a slight gain of 0.1% for the week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite edged down by 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively.
Week Ahead — What to Watch:
Looking ahead to the week of May 18–22, 2026, several key events are poised to influence market dynamics. Keep an eye out for announcements from the President's recent trip to China which could signal sentiment. On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will release minutes from its April meeting, providing insights into the central bank's stance on interest rates amid rising inflation concerns. The same day, NVDA Nvidia is set to report its Q1 FY2026 earnings after the market closes, with analysts anticipating strong results driven by robust AI demand. Thursday brings Walmart's earnings report before the market opens, offering a glimpse into consumer spending trends. Additionally, economic data releases include April's pending home sales on Tuesday, housing starts and jobless claims on Thursday, and consumer sentiment on Friday. Given the recent inflation data and upcoming earnings reports, traders should prepare for potential volatility and remain vigilant for any shifts in market sentiment.
SPY Market Brief
SPY continued its upward trajectory this week, opening at $736.45 and closing at $739.17, marking a modest gain. The ETF remains well above both the 50-day SMA of $690.04 and the 200-day SMA of $676.07, underscoring a strong bullish trend. The daily RSI at 67.9 indicates momentum approaching overbought territory. Notably, Thursday saw a significant push to a high of $749.53, though Friday's pullback suggests some profit-taking. Swing traders should monitor the $731.83 support level and the $749.53 resistance for potential breakout or breakdown scenarios.
Over the past eight weeks, SPY has demonstrated a consistent uptrend, with the 10-week SMA at $690.18 and the 40-week SMA at $677.64 providing solid support. The weekly RSI at 69.43 is nearing overbought conditions, warranting caution. Geopolitical developments, such as the recent U.S.-China tariff reduction, have bolstered market sentiment. However, rising inflation concerns, highlighted by a CPI increase to 3.8%, may introduce volatility. The weekly candle structure suggests potential for continued gains, but traders should remain vigilant for signs of reversal or consolidation.
Bullish Perspective
The sustained position above key moving averages and the recent breakout to new highs indicate strong bullish momentum. A decisive close above the $749.53 resistance could signal further upside potential. Positive macroeconomic factors, including easing trade tensions, support this outlook. Traders should look for increased volume on upward moves and a weekly RSI maintaining above 70 to confirm the bullish thesis.
Bearish Perspective
The proximity of the RSI to overbought levels raises the risk of a pullback. A break below the $731.83 support could indicate a shift in momentum. Inflationary pressures and potential interest rate hikes may also weigh on equities. A failure to reclaim the $749.53 resistance, coupled with declining volume on rallies, would strengthen the bearish case.
Source: TradingView Weekly Stocks to Watch
Shopify Inc.
Shopify saw strong downside last week, dipping into a low of $94. SHOP finished the week with a bounce back into $100. For now can keep it simple, look for $100 to be the over / under. If SHOP is not holding $100, watch for moves back into last week’s lows – $96 – 94. If $94 does not hold, SHOP may be likely moving into $90 test, and a potential bleed into the mid $80s. This is the 200sma range on weekly chart. If $100 is holding, would watch for upside into $102.5 – 105 – 110 – 112.5. Potentially even $120 – 125 for a nice return to mean in the coming weeks.
Source: TradingView Ouster
Solid full body bullish candle formed on the weekly chart last week. Huge volume week too. With this strength combined with strong volume we will be looking for continuation over $36.05. Target short term moves into $40 – 41. This area has shown a lot of resistance in the past, so this spot could be wise to trim. However, OUST can squeeze with a move over $41.65 into $50. Look for $30 for short term support and $25 as deeper support if looking for dip buys.
Source: TradingView EchoStar
Showing a strong bullish trend after hitting a new 52 week high of $139.54. Look for a break back over the 52wkh for further upside targets at $140.05 – 141.10 – 142.65 – 143.50 – 144.40. If SATS breaks below recent resistance turned support at $127.25/127 look to downside targets at $126.85 – 125.10 – 124.50 – 123.70.
Source: TradingView The GEO Group
Looking bullish after the gap up on 5/13 following a pull back reversal doji. Look for a break over $23.45 for upside targets at $24.15 – 24.75 – 25.66 – 25.96 – 27.20 – 28.75. If GEO breaks below the reversal doji at 20.85 look to downside levels at $19.70 – 18.60 – 18.14 (Pivot point) – 17 – 15.40 – 14.47.
Source: TradingView AST SpaceMobile
Big picture weekly trend is still looking like there may be more upside to be had. We will be looking for is ASTS to get back over the 13ema on weekly chart. This is important! If the 13ema is reclaimed, target moves back into $90 – 95 – 100 – 106.5. The 106 range has shown strong resistance before, so could be a solid area to trim. A break over $106.66 could have ASTS racing back into $120 and then a test of all time highs ($129.89) Above that would be blue skies. To keep things simple if bullish, look for support at $75, under this would look a bit bearish, watch out for moves lower into the $60s.n
Source: TradingView Continued Watch
“Intense upside breakout to close the week. On watch for continuation over 264 into $275 – 300 – 350 in the coming weeks – summer months. DELL may need to slow and consolidate near term. Look for dips into $250 – 240 – 225. Under $220 and 215 – 210 – 205 comes into play. Do not want to underestimate the continuation that lies ahead. If DELL breaks and holds last week high of $263.99, blue skies are open.”
“Potential reversal to the upside inbound. NNE has reclaimed the 13ema on weekly chart. For upside swing, look for NNE to hold the 13ema and find support at $25 range. If $25 is holding, NNE looks good to target last weeks high $29.27. A break over that opens up a move into $30 – 37 – 37.5 – 40 test with time. If $25 is not holding, look for support at $22.5 under that and NNE will appear weak. and a move back to $20 is the risk.”
“Deep pullback into the 200sma on the weekly chart. Over the past, we have seen solid support and reversals at this moving average range. Keep it simple and use $275 as support range. Look for MCD to consolidate and move back over $280 and towards $290 – 295 – 300 supply. If $300 is holding, this could snap back into $310 -315 – 325 with time. If $275 does not hold, would be cautious of more downside into the $270-268 volume profile. This zone could also provide optimal bounces and form wicks on candles.”
“Massive full body candle on the weekly chart had DDOG racing back into previous all time highs. Closing over $200 on the weekly for the first time ever. Keep eyes on the ATH level $201.61. If that breaks, could see quick moves into $205 – 210 – 225 – 250+ if momentum stays hot in the coming days – weeks. However, if market pulls back and DDOG is under $200 would look for $190 as short term support. Under that $187 – 182 – 176 – 169 would be pullback into support levels using fibonacci retracment on last weeks weekly candle.”
“Making higher highs after breaking out of its recent 3-month consolidation. After pulling back close to its 20SMA and bouncing to hod $190.41 on 5/5, look for a break over 187.75 for upside targets at $188.50 – 190.40 – 191.70 – 192.80 – 193.75. If MSTR gets heavy and breaks below 175.70 look for possible downside targets at $174.64 – 172.11 – 171.40 – 170.35 – 169.50 – 167.62 – 165.88.”
“Another name making higher highs after breaking out of its recent 3-month consolidation. ORCL has also broken out of its reverse head and shoulders pattern and has made a pull back right to its 20SMA and bounced to new hod $200.15 on 5/7. Look for a break over the $200 psych level and $200.15 recent high for upside targets at $201 – 202.90 – 203.45 – 204.50 – 205.70 – 207. If ORCL breaks down and falls below 193.70 look for deeper downside targets at $192.84 – 191.65 – 190.21 – 189.35 – 187.25 – 186.41 – 185.83 – 180.”
Earnings Calendar
Source: Earnings Whispers Economic Calendar
| Date | Event | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, May 19 2:00PM | Pending home sales | 1.5% |
| Wed, May 20 6:00PM | Minutes of Fed's May FOMC meeting FOMC | |
| Thu, May 21 12:30PM | Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey | 26.7 |
| Thu, May 21 12:30PM | Building permits | 1370000 |
| Thu, May 21 12:30PM | Housing starts | 1500000 |
| Thu, May 21 12:30PM | Initial jobless claims | |
| Thu, May 21 1:45PM | S&P flash U.S. manufacturing PMI | 54.5 |
| Thu, May 21 1:45PM | S&P flash U.S. services PMI | 51 |
| Fri, May 22 2:00PM | U.S. leading economic indicators | -0.6% |
| Fri, May 22 2:00PM | Consumer sentiment (final) | 49.2 |
