Week Ahead: Inflation, Jobs Data, AI Infrastructure Earnings on Tap

Wall Street made a strong showing last week with fresh all-time highs for major indices, and traders will look toward inflation data as a primary focus in the coming week.

A majority of companies in the S&P 500 have reported earnings, leaving markets to focus on those left, including AI infrastructure companies, as well as economic data on inflation and jobs.

Here are three things to watch this week:

Earnings themes: It’s a notable earnings week for some of the more futuristic areas of the market. AI infrastructure companies reporting include Coreweave (CRWV), Nebius Group (NBIS), and Cerebras Systems (CBRS). Additionally, on the heels of SpaceX’s (SPCX) inaugural earnings report, there are many space-associated companies with quarterly results including RocketLab (RKLB), FireFly Aerospace (FLY), Intuitive Machines (LUNR), Virgin Galactic (SPCE), and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS).

Economic Data & Inflation: Traders can expect a read on the inflation situation for markets with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) this week. Other notable ecodata includes the Jobless Claims and Retail Sales.

Corporate Buybacks: With roughly 75% of S&P 500 companies expected to be eligible to repurchase shares as earnings blackout windows expire, August is expected to be a busy month for corporate share repurchases, according to Citadel Securities. These buyback executions can be significant because they reduce the number of available shares, which can support stock prices and help boost earnings per share since profits will be divided by a smaller number of shares outstanding.

Economic Data (ET), Week of Aug. 10

Monday, Aug. 10 N/A

Tuesday, Aug. 11

• 06:00 AM – NFIB Business Optimism Index
• 08:15 AM – ADP Employment Change
• 10:00 AM – Existing Home Sales

Wednesday, Aug. 12

• 07:00 AM – MBA Mortgage Applications
• 08:30 AM – Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Thursday, Aug. 13

• 08:30 AM – Jobless Claims
• 08:30 AM – Producer Price Index (PPI)
• 08:40 AM – Fed Barkin Speech
• 04:30 PM – Fed Balance Sheet

Friday, Aug. 14

• 08:30 AM – Retail Sales
• 10:00 AM – Michigan Consumer Sentiment
• 10:00 AM – Business Inventories

Earnings Snapshot, Week of Aug. 10:

Monday, Aug. 10

• Premarket: Barrick Mining Corporation (B)
• Postmarket: Simon Property Group (SPG), Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB), AST SpaceMobile (ASTS), Hims & Hers Health (HIMS), Archer Aviation (ACHR), Plug Power (PLUG), Quantum Computing (QUBT)

Tuesday, Aug. 11

• Premarket: Sea Limited (SE), Cardinal Health (CAH), On Holding (ONON), Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME)
• Postmarket: Lumentum (LITE), CoreWeave (CRWV), Super Micro Computer (SMCI), CAVA Group (CAVA), Firefly Aerospace (FLY)

Wednesday, Aug. 12

• Premarket: Nebius Group (NBIS), Amcor (AMCR), Brinker International (EAT)
• Postmarket: Cisco Systems (CSCO), Cerebras Systems (CBRS), Virgin Galactic (SPCE), Coherent (COHR)

Thursday, Aug. 13

• Premarket: JD.com (JD), Tapestry (TPR), Birkenstock (BIRK), YETI (YETI), Bullish (BLSH), Intuitive Machines (LUNR)
• Postmarket: Applied Materials (AMAT)

Friday, Aug. 14 N/A

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a personalized recommendation or investment advice. Investors should review investment strategies for their own particular situations before making any decisions.

Schwab Network is brought to you by Charles Schwab Media Productions Company (“CSMPC”). CSMPC is a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation and is not a financial advisor, registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, futures commission merchant or forex dealer member.

Charles Schwab Media Productions Company and all third parties mentioned are separate and unaffiliated, and are not responsible for one another's policies, services or opinions.

Data contained herein is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. All events and times listed are subject to change without notice.