Market Strategy

Although the Independence Day holiday on Thursday shortens the trading week, the Friday release of the U.S. jobs report gives investors significant data to close the week. Before that, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will make comments at an international conference, followed by the release of the minutes from the Fed’s June meeting. 

The S&P 500 dipped on Friday as shares of market darling Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) fell for the second consecutive day. The broad market index declined by 0.16%, closing at 5,464.62, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.18% to 17,689.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 15.57 points, or 0.04%, to end at 39,150.33.

In a holiday-shortened week, investors will be watching comments from Federal Reserve representatives and data from several economic releases that could help show whether inflation is likely to continue its downward path.  Markets are closed on Wednesday for the Juneteenth national holiday.

The Federal Reserve’s meeting this week likely won’t result in a change in interest rates, but it is likely to show where the central bank is heading, as investors will digest projections data, along with comments from Chair Jerome Powell. Market watchers also will be tuned in to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for indications on whether price pressures continue to ease. 

Inflation will take center stage in a holiday-shortened week with the Friday release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, showing whether price pressures continued to cool in April. Markets are closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. Investors will be eyeing tech earnings this week, with Salesforce (CRM) and Dell (DELL) likely to grab attention.

Artificial intelligence (AI) darling Nvidia (NVDA) is set to report earnings after markets close on Wednesday, in what could be a highlight of this week's events. The chipmaker is expected to post another strong quarter of earnings and revenue growth amid a surge in demand for AI. 

On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) concluded its eighth straight day of gains, marking its best week in 2024. The index increased by 125.08 points, or 0.32%, finishing at 39,512.84. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 rose by 0.16% to close at 5,222.68, but the Nasdaq Composite declined marginally by 0.03%, ending the day at 16,340.87.

Corporate earnings and comments from Federal Reserve speakers highlight a relatively light week for economic data.

Several big technology and telecommunication companies will release their first-quarter 2024 financial reports this week, with electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla’s (TSLA) Tuesday report sure to attract significant investor interest, followed by earnings later in the week from Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Google (GOOGL), Intel (INTC), and other leading companies.

Fresh inflation figures and big banks' first-quarter earnings reports headline data for this week. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data for March comes in on Wednesday, with Federal Reserve officials keeping a close eye on prices as they weigh future interest rate cuts.

As markets return to a full week of trading, investors will be watching for labor market data throughout the week, including the U.S. payroll report on Friday.

Market watchers will be focused on comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday after this week’s decision on interest rates, which are expected to remain unchanged. Friday is the deadline for passage of several government spending bills, risking a shutdown if a legislative package or extension isn’t approved by then. Corporate earnings reports will come in from Micron […]