It has been an eventful conference season for companies big and small. Key updates from a range of industries, including banks and semiconductors, have kept investors on edge. It comes as volatility has kicked up right on cue to begin September, but the S&P 500 hit record highs amid other, more macro, events.

Uncertainty was unusually high as the Sept. 18 Federal Reserve decision date approached. The Fed Funds futures market usually has a firm beat on what the Federal Open Market Committee will do at the conclusion of its two-day policy gatherings, but the most recent meeting featured a virtual coin-flip as to whether a quarter- or half-point cut was in the works.

The time has come for rate cuts and ‘recalibration'

Alas, Chair Powell and all but one of the Fed's voting members opted for a “double cut.”[1] It may begin a protracted easing cycle that could last through next year. That is likely to have major implications for those in the C-suites of multinational corporations and at the desks of small businesses.

While it is difficult to predict what the economy will look like 12 months from now with lower borrowing costs and less impressive savings account rates, it's possible that investment projects may face a lower hurdle rate in terms of the cost of capital. Small-cap companies in particular might feel as if a burden is partially lifted as that group tends to be more prone to swings in short-term and floating interest rates.

Here's a twist: Lower rates might be a headwind for big companies with pristine balance sheets. You see, with high cash on hand and low debt, they were net beneficiaries of higher Treasury yields. The same goes for wealthy investors holding cash and bonds – loftier rates, bigger interest income. Less return on cash is now the reality.

New year, new vibes

Put it all together, and 2025 will likely look and feel different than 2024. Portfolio managers, traders and investors can get important clues before we call it curtains on this year, however. Through early December, there will be scores of important analyst days and capital markets days hosted by bellwether companies.

October and November feature many analyst and capital markets day events

Source: Wall Street Horizon

As a refresher, analyst days are put on to engage shareholders, analysts and the media. They provide a platform for CEOs and chief financial officers to present updates on business strategy, financial performance and upcoming growth plans. There's often a Q&A session where analysts and reporters can probe company executives.

Capital Markets Days are similar, but they usually target a broader audience, including institutional investors and bondholders. Mutual funds, hedge funds and the like attend to learn about a company's specific financial goals and the goings on across business segments or geographic regions. Both event types are meant to provide clarity to stakeholders.

Let's dig into a few notable companies with upcoming Analyst or Capital Markets Days lined up as we enter the home stretch of 2024.

Southwest Airlines (LUV, Financial)

Airlines continue to struggle with industry challenges and changing traveler preferences. The so-called “revenge travel” period is long gone, but individuals, families, and business travelers are flying the friendly skies at a record pace, at least according to TSA checkpoint data.[2] The second-quarter earnings season highlighted fundamental concerns, though. An oversupply of seats resulted in some U.S. airlines announcing reductions of capacity through year-end.[3]

Back in March, the Texas-based company announced it would re-evaluate its 2024 financial performance amid Boeing's delivery delays.[4] Then earlier this month, activist investor Elliott Management told the carrier's biggest union that despite a new board, CEO Bob Jordon should no longer remain as CEO.[5] Its analyst day on Thursday, Sept. 26 could be an eventful one.

LUV is also slated to present at the Mobile World Congress MWC Las Vegas conference that begins on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and it has a confirmed third-quarter earnings date of Thursday, Oct. 24 BMO.

Apollo Global Management (APO, Financial)

While struggles are ongoing for airlines, asset management looks to be having a moment. This year's stock and bond market rallies have generally resulted in strong profits for both traditional managers and those in private equity, including Apollo. Dealmaking expectations are high for 2025 and beyond as well. Year to date, APO is higher by 28% compared with a 19% total return in the S&P 500.

The $67 billion market cap U.S. company, which is not yet listed in the S&P 500, has been active on the investment front, inking several notable deals in the past month.[6] You might hear more about its latest moves and thoughts on financing markets at its Oct. 1 analyst day, which will feature presentations by senior leaders on Apollo's strategic priorities. Presentations will begin at 8 a.m. ET, followed by a Q&A session.

Apollo's next earnings date is unconfirmed for Wednesday, Oct. 30 BMO.

General Motors (GM, Financial)

The automobile manufacturers industry has been particularly uncertain this year. Falling new and used vehicle prices and consumer preference shifts away from electric vehicles have meant volatility for a handful of large automakers. However, GM's stock has returned close to 40% year to date.

In July, strong numbers from its ICE segment drove a large second-quarter profit and its management team boosted it 2024 guidance.[7] Soft demand in China was a sore spot and perhaps a cause for a range-bound stock price in the past few months, but CEO Mary Barra was upbeat in her letter to shareholders.[8]

Will the same optimistic tone be voiced on Oct. 8 at GM's analyst day? Be sure to log in and find out. The company also presents at the FedEx Forward Service Provider Summit that begins on Oct. 1 and it has an unconfirmed interim sales update on Oct. 2 followed by a third-quarter earnings date of Tuesday, Oct. 22 BMO (confirmed).

​Major analyst and capital markets days through November

Source: Wall Street Horizon

The bottom line

Analyst and capital markets days can offer specific insights as to the state of a company's fundamental operations and industries writ large. Just as the third-quarter conference season has had broad market impacts, so too might some of the many corporate events on the docket through November.

1 Fed Bowman's dissent is first from Fed governor since 2005, Reuters, September 18, 2024, https://www.reuters.com
2 Record 3 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints Sunday after July 4th, CBS News, Khristopher J. Brooks, July 8, 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com
3 U.S. airlines cut growth plans in a bid to stem profit-eating fare discounts, CNBC, Leslie Josephs, July 29, 2024, https://www.cnbc.com
4 Southwest Airlines cuts capacity and rethinks 2024 financial forecast, citing Boeing problems, CNBC, Leslie Josephs, March 12, 2024, https://www.cnbc.com
5 Exclusive: Activist Elliott tells Southwest Air mechanics it still wants CEO's ouster, memo says, Reuters, Allison Lampert, September 17, 2024, https://www.reuters.com
6 Apollo Funds Acquire Freedom CNG, a Leading Provider of Renewable Natural Gas Fueling Infrastructure, Apollo, September 12, 2024, https://ir.apollo.com
7 GM Releases 2024 Second-Quarter Results and Raises Full-Year Guidance, General Motors Co., July 23, 2024, https://investor.gm.com
8 GM reports best U.S. quarterly sales since 2020, CNBC, Michael Wayland, July 2, 2024, https://www.cnbc.com

​Copyright © 2024 Wall Street Horizon, Inc. All rights reserved. Do not copy, distribute, sell or modify this document without Wall Street Horizon's prior written consent. This information is provided for information purposes only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantees the completeness of the information contained in this publication, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions in or your use of, or reliance on, the information. This publication is not intended to provide legal, accounting, tax, investment, financial or other advice and should not be relied upon for such advice. The information provided is not an invitation to purchase securities, including any listed on Toronto Stock Exchange and/or TSX Venture Exchange. TMX Group and its affiliated companies do not endorse or recommend any securities referenced in this publication. TMX, the TMX design, TMX Group, Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX, and TSX Venture Exchange are the trademarks of TSX Inc. and are used under license. Wall Street Horizon is the trademark of Wall Street Horizon, Inc. All other trademarks used in this publication are the property of their respective owners.