U.S. Futures Pause Ahead of Retail Earnings; Fed Outlook and Ukraine Talks in Focus

On Tuesday morning, U.S. stock futures pressed for stability as investors took a breath before a packed week of retail earnings and high-stakes central bank signals. Reports from Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Target—which together reflect roughly 70% of the economy—will serve as vital gauges of consumer strength amid inflation and tariff pressures.
Meanwhile, all eyes are firmly trained on the upcoming Jackson Hole Symposium. Market watchers hope that remarks from Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman—considered a possible successor to Jerome Powell—will clarify the path ahead. Bowman’s support for multiple rate cuts this year contrasts with expectations priced in by markets, which anticipate two cuts, starting in September.
On the geopolitical front, President Trump extended security assurances to Ukrainian President Zelenskiy during their Washington meeting—sparking optimism around diplomacy. Still, investors remain cautious as the situation evolves. In sports, Intel surged 6.3% in pre-market trade, buoyed by a $2 billion investment from SoftBank. Meanwhile, Palo Alto Networks rose sharply on upbeat forecasts, and oil prices softened amid hopes of reduced conflict risk.

Together, these developments paint a picture of cautious optimism. Investors are balancing hopes for consumer resilience and central bank support with geopolitical uncertainties—poised for what could be a consequential week.