Tech Five: Will Apple earnings match high investor expectations?

It's all about earnings today, and investors are buzzing about Apple.

Apple is expected to report higher iPhone sales compared to the same time last year -- but will those numbers make the slow response to the Apple Watch easy to forget about?

Let's take a look at the tech stocks to watch Tuesday:

Apple (AAPL): Apple is expected to release its third quarter earnings after the bell Tuesday. As investors count on another blow-out quarter for Apple, the company's stock soared near its all-time high of $134.54 on Monday. Company shares were slightly up during morning trading.

Yahoo (YHOO): Despite the fact that company shares have fallen 11% over the past three months, Wall Street remains optimistic about Yahoo's second quarter earnings. The company is expected to report its earnings after market close Tuesday. Yahoo has struggled to keep up with Google and Facebook as the race for online and mobile advertising becomes increasingly competitive. Company shares were slightly up Tuesday morning.

Verizon (VZ): Verizon reported earnings Tuesday that beat analyst expectations, but just missed revenue expectations. The company grew its wireless and FiOS Internet business during the second quarter, and has plans to launch a new mobile video service this summer. Company shares were down more than 2% Tuesday morning.

Microsoft (MSFT): Microsoft is expected to report financial results Tuesday afternoon for its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended June 30. As sales of Windows software and Office software licenses continue to decline along with PC sales, the company's sales are expected to drop about 6% from the same quarter last year. Microsoft plans to roll out Windows 10 next week. Company shares were slightly down Tuesday morning.

United Technologies (UTX): United Technologies said Tuesday that sales fell 5% in the most recent quarter, and attributed this drop to slow sales in the Otis elevator unit and the negative effect of the strong dollar, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company announced earlier this week sold its Sikorsky helicopter unit to Lockheed Martin for $9 billion, and now expects per-share earnings to slightly increase for the year from operations. Company shares were down almost 6% Tuesday morning.

Follow Paste BN reporter Trisha Thadani on Twitter: @TrishaThadani