Options traders eye Alphabet and Microsoft ahead of Oct 28 after-hours reports
cnbc.com reported options traders are watching as Alphabet and Microsoft prepare to report after the bell, a moment the outlet called a test for the market's mini rally.
Developing storyOptions traders eye Alphabet and Microsoft ahead of Oct 28 after-hours reports9 reports · latest 36 min agoTimeline →What happened
Cnbc.com reported Oct 28, 15:12 UTC that options traders were watching ahead of Alphabet and Microsoft reporting after the bell. The story said the market's mini rally faces a key test after the bell when the two tech giants report. The report concerned Alphabet and Microsoft specifically and highlighted options-market positioning ahead of those after-hours releases.
Stocks market context
As of Oct 28, 17:00 UTC, the SPY ETF was $771.88 and rose 0.29% from the prior close, and the QQQ ETF was $723.18 and rose 0.27% from the prior close. Among individual names, Alphabet was $324.06 and rose 1.09% from the prior close, Microsoft was $527.60 and fell 0.70% from the prior close, and Amazon was $253.04 and was little changed from the prior close. Prices and moves per Finnhub.
| Instrument | Last | Change | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 (via SPY ETF) | $771.88 | +0.29% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Nasdaq 100 (via QQQ ETF) | $723.18 | +0.27% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| NVIDIA | $217.61 | -0.15% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Apple | $345.97 | -0.33% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Microsoft | $527.60 | -0.70% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Amazon | $253.04 | -0.02% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Alphabet | $324.06 | +1.09% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Meta Platforms | $613.28 | -1.11% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Tesla | $402.25 | -1.28% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| JPMorgan Chase | $340.37 | +1.36% | vs prior close | Oct 28, 17:00 UTC | Finnhub |
Related coverage
Yahoo published 'Alphabet, Microsoft to report; Fed decision ahead - what’s moving markets.' Yahoo also published 'Microsoft vs. Alphabet earnings: The key metrics investors will be watching.' CNBC published 'AI debt fears ease ahead of Oracle, Alphabet and Amazon updates. Here's what to watch.'
- Here's what options traders see before Alphabet, Microsoft report after the bell — cnbc.com, Oct 28, 15:12 UTC
- Alphabet, Microsoft to report; Fed decision ahead - what’s moving markets — Yahoo, Oct 28, 09:17 UTC
- If You Invest $1,000 in Microsoft Today, Here’s What It Could Be Worth by 2030 — Yahoo, Oct 28, 13:33 UTC
- AI debt fears ease ahead of Oracle, Alphabet and Amazon updates. Here's what to watch. — CNBC, Oct 27, 19:57 UTC
- Microsoft vs. Alphabet earnings: The key metrics investors will be watching — Yahoo, Oct 28, 13:27 UTC
What to watch
GOOGL Q3 2026 earnings is scheduled Wed Oct 28 (after the close) and lists an EPS estimate of 3.11, and MSFT Q1 2027 earnings is scheduled Wed Oct 28 (after the close) and lists an EPS estimate of 4.82; both items are marked high importance in the calendar.
- Wed Oct 28 (after the close) — GOOGL Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 3.11
- Wed Oct 28 (after the close) — MSFT Q1 2027 earnings · EPS estimate 4.82
- Wed Oct 28 (after the close) — F Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 0.41
- Wed Oct 28 (after the close) — TMUS Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 2.97
- Wed Oct 28 (after the close) — FDX Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 3.52
- Thu Oct 29 (after the close) — AMZN Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 2.00
Sources and data
- cnbc.com (secondary source) — Here's what options traders see before Alphabet, Microsoft report after the bell
- Yahoo (secondary source) — Alphabet, Microsoft to report; Fed decision ahead - what’s moving markets
- CNBC (secondary source) — AI debt fears ease ahead of Oracle, Alphabet and Amazon updates. Here's what to watch.
- Finnhub (market data) — market data
Market data as of Oct 28, 17:00 UTC; report generated Oct 28, 17:00 UTC. All times are UTC. Each table row shows its own timestamp and provider.
This report was produced by the MarketAlleys Research Desk using automated data processing and language tools from the sources listed above, and checked against our automated-content validation rules. It is for information only and is not investment advice.
Terms in this article
Options
Contracts that give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (a call) or sell (a put) an asset at a set strike price before or at expiry.
Exchange-traded fund (ETF)
A fund that trades on a stock exchange like a share, usually tracking an index, sector, commodity or strategy.
Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E)
Share price divided by earnings per share.
S&P 500
A float-adjusted, market-cap-weighted index of about 500 leading US companies selected by a committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Earnings per share (EPS)
A company's net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by its average number of shares.
Sources & data
- cnbc.com (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:03 PM UTC)
- Yahoo (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:03 PM UTC)
- CNBC (secondary, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:03 PM UTC)
- Finnhub (market-data, retrieved Oct 28, 2026, 05:03 PM UTC)
Market data as of Oct 28, 2026, 05:00 PM UTC.
This report was produced by the MarketAlleys Research Desk using automated data processing and language tools, built only from the cited sources and validated by rules described in our methodology. Spot an error? Request a correction.
Ask about this story
Questions are answered only from this article and the sources it cites.
MarketAlleys provides news and analysis for information only; it is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Markets involve risk. Risk disclaimer.
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