As earnings start to come in, there will be a lot of disappointments.
It could also go the other way, if Wall St. decides to see the half glass full.
This week, investors will begin poring over first-quarter earnings for more clues on where the economy is headed -- and analysts warn that worse-than-expected reports could upset the market's advance.
Even more important than companies' results will be their forecasts for the remainder of the year. Sectors that will be in particular focus include banking, retail, technology and industrials.
"Companies have to come across with commentary that the worst is passed," said Nicholas Colas, chief market strategist at BNY ConvergEx. "That is the most critical thing and you have to hear it from a broad range of companies in a wide variety of industries."
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