Wall Street's Week in Review: Stock Futures Little Changed as Market Awaits Key Earnings and Data

As the week comes to a close, stock futures are little changed on Sunday evening, following a week of volatility on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all ended the week in the red, with the Dow suffering its worst weekly performance since October. Investors are now looking ahead to key earnings reports and economic data that could shape the market's direction in the coming days.



One of the most anticipated events of the week is NVIDIA's earnings report on Wednesday. The market is expecting revenue of $33.07 billion and net income (adjusted) of $18.44 billion. However, investors will be scrutinizing the company's margins and demand outlook, as well as any commentary on potential delays in its next-generation Blackwell systems. A positive earnings report could boost tech stocks, while a disappointing one could lead to a sell-off in the sector.



Another key earnings report to watch is Home Depot's on Tuesday, followed by Lowe's on Wednesday. These reports will provide insights into how U.S. consumers are faring, with positive earnings indicating strong consumer spending and a boost to retail stocks. Conversely, disappointing earnings could signal a slowdown in consumer spending, negatively impacting the market.

On Friday, the personal consumption expenditures index (PCE) will be released, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. A higher-than-expected PCE reading could indicate that inflation is not yet under control, leading to a sell-off in stocks as investors anticipate further rate hikes. A lower-than-expected PCE reading could indicate that inflation is easing, boosting stocks as investors anticipate a more dovish Fed.



Investors are also closely watching the nomination of a new Treasury Secretary by Donald Trump. The market is currently favoring Scott Bessent, a former hedge fund manager, but Elon Musk and others in Trump's orbit have endorsed Howard Lutnick. The nomination could impact the market if the chosen candidate is seen as unqualified or backs economic policies seen as too harmful, such as excessive tariffs.

In conclusion, the coming week is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the stock market, with key earnings reports and economic data releases that could significantly influence market performance and overall sentiment. Investors should closely monitor these developments and their potential impacts on the markets. As always, it is essential to maintain a balanced view and allow readers to form their own conclusions based on the presented data and insights.