Microsoft and Alphabet earnings after the close. What is expected?

Microsoft, and Alphabet report after today’s close, with investors looking for solid revenue growth and evidence that spending on artificial intelligence is translating into stronger business performance.Microsoft (MSFT) is expected to report earnings of $4.72 per share, up 14.3% from $4.13 a year ago. Revenue is forecast at $90.62 billion, up 16.7% from $77.67 billion. Azure growth, capital spending and the outlook for margins will be key areas of focus.Alphabet (GOOGL/GOOG) is expected to earn $3.03 per share, up 5.6% from $2.87 last year. Revenue is projected at $127.91 billion, up 25.0% from $102.35 billion. Investors will watch Google Cloud growth, the performance of the advertising business and how rising AI investment affects free cash flow.The headline numbers will provide the first test. Guidance and management’s comments on AI spending and returns could determine whether any initial move gains momentum.Microsoft technical preview: Moving averages define the risk ahead of earningsTechnically, the price action and tools applied to the chart show Microsoft trading between two key hourly moving averages ahead of earnings. The 100-hour moving average at $532.58 has recently attracted sellers, while the 200-hour moving average at $521.93 has provided support. With the price near $527, those levels define the near-term battle between buyers and sellers.A move above $532.58—and staying above—would tilt the bias more firmly toward the buyers. The next upside targets come at $546, the October 29, 2025 high, followed by the October 13 high near $550. Above those levels, the focus shifts to the all-time high at $555.45, reached in July 2025. A sustained break above that peak would open the door for further upside momentum.Conversely, a move below $521.93—and staying below—would give sellers more control. The next downside target is the $513.50–$517.60 swing area from August and early September. A break below that zone would expose the September lows between $486 and $492.23.The moving averages are the immediate barometers. Earnings may trigger the break, but whether the price can hold beyond those levels will help distinguish a sustained move from a failed break.Alphabet technicals: Sellers hold control below key moving averagesAlphabet shares have taken a more bearish turn heading into earnings. After rallying to $359.51 earlier this month and reclaiming the 100-day moving average (currently at $347.12), the price reversed lower. The decline pushed the shares below both hourly moving averages and then the 200-day moving average, currently at $341.20.With the price near $325.22, buyers have several hurdles to clear. The 100-hour moving average at $338.72, the 200-day moving average at $341.20, and the 100-day moving average at $347.18. All moving averages are sloping lower, reinforcing the bearish bias.Those levels provide a series of barometers for the recovery. Moving above—and staying above—would give buyers a bullish foothold. A move above the highest (100 day MA) at $347.18 would require a gain of approximately 6.8% from the current price and bring the earlier October high at $359.51 back into focus.On the downside, Monday’s low at $316.60 is the first level to watch. That low stalled just above the $311.42–$314.90 swing area. A break below $316.60 would put that support zone back in play. Moving below the swing area—and staying below—would strengthen the sellers’ control and open the door toward the February and early March swing lows near $294.ServiceNow (NOW) will also release after the close.  They are expected to report adjusted earnings of $1.02 per share, up 6.3% from $0.96 a year ago. Revenue is forecast at $4.09 billion, up approximately 20% from $3.41 billion. Subscription growth, demand for AI tools and management’s guidance will help shape the market’s reaction. This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.