The First Slice for Monday, March 11, 2024
This week, investors and Federal Reserve representatives are keenly awaiting the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation reading. This data is crucial as it provides insights into the current state of inflation, which has been more persistent than expected. The CPI report, scheduled for Tuesday, will reveal whether inflation continues its downward trend or if price pressures are still a concern. The January CPI indicated a fall in the inflation rate to 3.1%, but it was still higher than forecasts.
In addition to the CPI, other significant economic data releases this week include the Producer Price Index, indicating if wholesaler prices are following the upward trend in January. Retail sales data will also be released to glimpse consumer spending and economic strength. Surveys on consumer and small business sentiment will further shed light on the overall economic optimism.
The week is also packed with earnings reports from various sectors. Retailers like Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Kohl’s are set to release their financial data, providing insights into consumer spending resilience. The real estate sector will also be in focus, with earnings reports from builder Lennar and mortgage lender LoanDepot, especially as high-interest rates continue to impact mortgage lending. Additionally, Adobe’s earnings report will be closely watched to see if its new AI tools drive product sales, alongside other tech earnings like Oracle’s.
With no commentary from Federal Reserve representatives due to the blackout period before their next meeting, these data releases and earnings reports will be crucial for investors to gauge the health of the economy and various industry sectors…………[read more]
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