Stocks look to firms' earnings as Dow nears new peak

US stocks rose last week and finished on the brink of new record highs, as investors saw only the silver lining in dark and cloudy bank reports.

This week, the earnings season gets into full swing, with industrial giants such as General Electric, technology darlings like Microsoft and health-care stalwarts like Johnson & Johnson.

If stocks are to make new highs, "it's got to be earnings driven, and there's got to be a positive outlook for the rest of the year", said Oliver Pursche, chief executive of broker dealer Bruderman Brothers.