8 Key Market Movers to Watch in the Week Ahead

As we step into a new week, investors are keeping a close eye on several key economic indicators and corporate earnings reports that could significantly impact the stock market. Here are eight things we're watching in the week ahead, based on the provided background information:



1. Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Core CPI (Wednesday, Jan. 15): The CPI report for December will be released on Wednesday, with the core CPI (excluding food and energy) expected to remain at 3.3% year over year. Market watchers will be closely monitoring this data to gauge the trajectory of inflation and the potential impact on interest rates.
2. Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims (Thursday, Jan. 16): The weekly initial jobless claims report for the week ended Jan. 11 is expected to show a slight increase to 213K, up from 201K in the previous week. This data point will provide insights into the labor market's health and could influence investor sentiment.
3. Philadelphia Fed Index (Thursday, Jan. 16): The January Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Index is expected to improve slightly to -9.1, up from -10.9 in December. This regional manufacturing survey could offer insights into the broader economic trends.
4. Nvidia (NVDA) Earnings (Wednesday, Jan. 15): Nvidia, the world's most valuable company, is expected to report earnings on Wednesday. Analysts have raised their price targets for Nvidia, with Mizuho setting a high point of $165, slightly above the analyst consensus near $160. Investors will be watching for any announcements or updates on the company's products and growth prospects.
5. Retail Earnings (Tuesday, Jan. 14, and Wednesday, Jan. 15): Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) are scheduled to report earnings on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. These big-box retailers have been performing well, with Walmart lifting its full-year outlook and Target raising its projections on yearly earnings. Lowe's (LOW), however, has been struggling with a sales slump on big-ticket items and lowered its full-year outlook. Discount retailer TJX Companies (TJX) is also set to report earnings this week. The retail sector's performance could offer insights into consumer health heading into the holiday season.
6. Housing Market Indicators (Monday, Jan. 13, Tuesday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 16): Several housing market indicators are scheduled for release this week, including the homebuilder sentiment survey on Monday, housing starts and building permits on Tuesday, and existing home sales on Thursday. These data points could provide insights into the state of the housing market, which has been struggling with high mortgage rates. Companies in the housing sector may experience price movements based on these releases.
7. Consumer Sentiment (Friday, Jan. 17): The consumer sentiment report for November is set for a Friday release. This report will provide a first look at how the public is reacting to the election of Republican Donald Trump as president, with the preliminary survey in early November concluding before the vote. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector may experience price movements based on this report, as it could indicate changes in consumer spending.
8. Inflation Data (Wednesday, Jan. 15): The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for December is scheduled for release on Wednesday. This report will show whether inflation continues to cool after heating up earlier this year. Market watchers will be studying the latest print of the CPI inflation report after the April data showed a drop in inflation to 3.4%. Fed officials have said they need to see more data showing cooling prices before moving to cut interest rates. Companies in sectors sensitive to inflation, such as consumer staples and energy, may experience price movements based on this report.

In conclusion, investors should pay close attention to these sectors and specific stocks as they may experience notable price movements based on upcoming data releases or company announcements. By staying informed and monitoring these key indicators, investors can make more informed decisions and better navigate the volatile stock market landscape.