Wall Street Holds Its Breath: Retail Earnings and Fed Signals in Focus

 

On Tuesday, U.S. markets opened with a soft, watchful edge. After a run of gains, futures barely budged as investors folded themselves into a high-stakes week ahead. Wall Street’s gaze is split between retail earnings from giants like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target—crucial litmus tests for gut-checking consumer strength in the face of inflation and trade worries—and remarks from Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman. Her commentary, expected around the Jackson Hole Symposium, could nudge markets off the fence—or keep them tethered firmly.
Momentum flickered elsewhere: Intel popped through the roof in pre-market trading, buoyed by a $2 billion lifeline from SoftBank. Meanwhile, Palo Alto Networks impressed with upbeat earnings guidance, signaling that tech resilience endures. Oil markets eased too, a subtle sign that murmurs of Ukraine peace talks soothed nerves. Futures are quiet—but that’s market code for “braced for action.” Between retail insights, Fed posture, and easing geopolitical heat, it’s a delicate dance that could steer the week.