Mega-cap tech stock results are always the main focus during earnings season, delivering investors vital insight on the leading businesses.

Each quarter, earnings season offers investors with an opportunity to get vital insight into the finest and brightest firms that have the potential to lead the market higher in the following months.

Because of the sheer weight of these businesses in major indices, it's reasonable to conclude that mega-cap tech stock results are always the main focus.

For perspective, the 10 biggest stocks in the S&P 500 Index make up 26.4 percent of the index’s market value, which tells us that the overall direction of the market will certainly be impacted by the price movement of the mega-cap tech stocks following their earnings this week.

Last quarter, we witnessed many mega-cap tech companies generate fantastic earnings only to experience tremendous selling pressure when they reported.

 Ranking the Mega-Cap Tech Stocks Ahead of Earnings: Microsoft, Facebook, and Alphabet

Investors tend to get confused by this type of earnings reaction, which is why it's crucial to realize that a stock will typically surge up until the report and subsequently sell-off following the release.

This is the traditional “buy the rumor, sell the news” scenario that plays out time and time again in the market, and keep in mind that the heavy volume after an earnings announcement provides hedge funds and institutions with an opportunity to liquidate huge positions.

Of course, this chain of events doesn’t hold true for all equities, but it’s something to keep in mind as we move into the culmination of earnings season.

With the top tech stocks poised to disclose their earnings and the fact that several have already surged greatly leading up to their releases, it’s safe to presume that they might be priced to perfection.

While it’s hard to forecast what the reaction will be to each company’s report, sometimes a post-earnings dip turns into a terrific purchasing opportunity.

We've compiled a list of the largest mega-cap tech firms by market capitalization in terms of price upside potential, as well as a few items to look for in each company's report, so you're ready for whatever comes this week.

All of these stocks provide something unique and are great additions to any portfolio, so this list is more of an assessment of which firms are currently thriving while also showing potential for future growth.

1. - Microsoft (MSFT) — Earnings Announcement July 27 After Market Close

With so many variables working in Microsoft’s (MSFT) - Get Report favor at this time, it’s simple to rate it as the No. 1 mega-cap tech stock to consider adding for long-term growth at this time.