New York — The rockiest US stock market in two years will meet a major test in the coming weeks as first-quarter earnings pour in, with expectations that tax cuts will help Corporate America show its biggest quarterly profit growth in seven years. Any disappointments could further upset the fragile market. Hopes among stock investors are running high for corporate earnings season, which starts in earnest on Thursday and Friday with reports from several large financial institutions including BlackRock and JP Morgan. Investors have counted on corporate profits to provide bedrock support as the market endured sharp swings in recent weeks over concerns about a trade war with China and tougher regulations for high-flying technology companies. The S&P 500 has recovered after swooning more than 10% in February from its January 26 record high, confirming a market correction for the first time in just over two years. The benchmark index remains more than 7% off its record peak. "There is an ...

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