Key Market Events This Week: Jobs, Inflation Data, and Earnings Reports

Markets brace for a data deluge as long-delayed economic reports finally emerge. November employment figures, October retail sales, and September business inventories will land Tuesday, offering critical insights into consumer demand and labor market health. The Fed's recent rate cut—tied to growing labor weakness—faces fresh scrutiny as these indicators roll in.

Thursday brings the November Consumer Price Index, a pivotal metric for interest rate trajectory. Fed Chair Powell's call for more data now meets its answer, with speeches by Governors Miran and Waller potentially swaying markets midweek. Investors hang on every word for clues about the central bank's next move.

Corporate earnings take center stage with Micron Technology's report, serving as a bellwether for the AI trade's momentum. Nike, FedEx, and Carnival results will decode consumer spending patterns across retail, logistics, and leisure sectors—a temperature check on Main Street's resilience.