Key Market Events This Week: Walmart Earnings, Inflation Data, and Q4 GDP
Markets face a holiday-shortened week with Presidents Day closing trading on Monday. Once resumed, investors will digest delayed economic data including December's PCE inflation report—a critical metric for Federal Reserve policy decisions. Retail giant Walmart's quarterly earnings on Thursday will test consumer resilience, alongside updates from John Deere, DoorDash, and others.
The PCE release looms large as CPI stagnation in December leaves room for surprises. Fed meeting minutes could reveal officials' temperature checks on rate trajectories. Fourth-quarter GDP figures debut Thursday, offering the first snapshot of year-end economic momentum.