Stocks closed solidly higher yesterday. And the Dow added to their winning streak, making it 7 days in a row.

The markets got off to a slow start in the morning. But quickly turned positive. And then slowly added to their gains as the day wore on, before finishing at or near their highs of the day.

It was another packed day of earnings reports. But not as many marquee names on the docket yesterday. Although, well-known Roblox reported before the open yesterday, and posted a positive EPS surprise of 18.87%, but a negative sales surprise of -0.78%. They narrowed their quarterly loss to -43 cents vs. -44 cents last year, while their sales growth rate was up 19.4%. But disappointment over earnings and lighter guidance sank shares by -22.06% yesterday.

Today we'll get another 238 companies on deck to report.

In other news, the European Central Bank (ECB) hinted that they would be cutting rates next month. If so, they will likely do so before the U.S. But that also gives hope to Fed watchers that they should not be far behind.

As for economic reports yesterday, Weekly Jobless Claims rose by 22,000 to 231,000 vs. the consensus for 212K. Although, the smoother 4-week moving average came in at 215K.

Today we'll get the Consumer Sentiment report, and the Baker Hughes Rig Count report.

We'll also hear from Fed policymakers Michelle Bowman, Lorie Logan, Neel Kashkari (yet again), and Micharl Barr today.

With only one more trading day to go, the major indexes are all on pace to close higher for the week. That'll make it 3 up weeks in a row for the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, the small-cap Russell 2000, and the mid-cap S&P 400. And 4 up weeks in a row for the Dow.

It also puts the big three indexes within striking distance of their all-time high closes. The Dow is currently just -1.05% away, the S&P 500 is just -0.77% away, and the Nasdaq is just -0.58% away.

It won't take much to reach those levels once again. Then the market will set its sight on another upside breakout, and brand new highs.

Best,