Inflation Data and Tech Earnings to Drive Market Trends

What to Watch in the Economy This Week

Get ready for a week packed with key economic updates! The agenda includes the latest figures on new home sales, orders for big-ticket items, and construction costs. But all eyes are on inflation—everyone’s wondering if the upcoming reports will fan the flames of inflation worries, especially since January’s CPI and PPI numbers already exceeded expectations. If inflation’s heat turns up, expect bond yields to start dancing.

The Main Event: Unveiling the Core PCE

Inflation-watchers are on pins and needles for the big reveal: the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, set for February 29. Why the buzz? It’s the Federal Reserve’s go-to gauge for inflation. The core PCE number is a big deal—it steers where interest rates might be heading, so everyone from Wall Street to Main Street is paying attention.

Chip Stocks Take Center Stage

Tech’s hot ticket item—semiconductor stocks—are ready for another rollercoaster week. Thanks to Nvidia’s knockout earnings, the industry’s stocks are sizzling, and the spotlight is on them like never before. There’s also a lineup of big earnings reports from the likes of car makers, retail giants, e-commerce moguls, and beer barons, with Li Auto, Lowe’s, eBay, and Anheuser-Busch InBev leading the charge.

Markets: Hold on to Your Hats!

If you trade stocks, buckle up! Some retailers and biotech names are seeing a frenzy of options activity. Meanwhile, a certain space tourism company with a bunch of short-sellers betting against it could show us some post-earnings fireworks. Keep an eye on stocks that are jumping off the charts on the Relative Strength Index—whether they’re skyrocketing or plunging, they’re bound to make headlines. And in the grocery aisle, there’s some drama brewing for Kroger and Albertsons with a potential merger that could stir up legal fuss.

IPO Buzz: Who’s Next to Hit the Market?

The IPO scene is alive with chatter. First up, Amer Sports is ending its quiet period, opening the door for analysts to weigh in. Since hitting the market, Amer Sports has been the darling of investors, boasting an array of iconic brands. And as other new market entrants exit their quiet times, there’s a palpable buzz for Reddit’s impending IPO. Reddit isn’t just sitting pretty—it’s locking in shares for its users and cozying up with Google to make sure its content and APIs play nice together.