Data on Inflation, Housing, and Consumer Sentiment; Earnings From Oracle, Adobe

Inflation will be in the spotlight this week.

Two major economic reports on prices are landing just ahead of next week’s key interest rate decision, providing fresh indicators on the cost of living as central bankers debate whether to further lower borrowing costs and investors eye energy prices. Existing-home sales and other housing data comes as economists are watching for improvements in that market.

Investors will also be evaluating momentum in the AI and software sectors, with Oracle, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Adobe set to report earnings this week. Dollar General leads a string of noteworthy retail earnings, while Tesla’s Chinese EV competitors are also on deck. 

Read to the bottom for our calendar of key events—and one more thing.

Inflation Reports Come as Fed Focuses on Prices

Recent indicators have sent mixed signals on the direction of prices. Wednesday’s release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February arrives after that measure came in lower than expected in January. Later in the week, the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index for January follows a December report that showed the closely watched inflation indicator rise higher than expected.  

The Federal Reserve is readying for its meeting next week. There is division among the central bank’s members over whether to further cut interest rates after the central bank recently voted to keep them steady at its last meeting.

Several housing indicators are expected this week, with existing-home sales data coming as buyers have continued to shy away from the market. Housing starts and earnings from builder Lennar are also on the calendar. Investors will be watching trade data for the impacts of tariffs, and the latest consumer sentiment survey may show whether the recent Middle East turmoil is affecting spending trends.

Oracle, Adobe Earnings Keep Investor Eyes on AI Trade

Oracle’s stock price has been more than cut in half from its September highs amid a rout in the software sector. But the cloud computing giant, set to report earnings this week, still has plans for expansion after it recently laid out plans to raise $50 billion to fund AI data center construction. Adobe’s report will also provide a look at the software sector’s strength. 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s report on Monday could also provide insight into AI spending.  Analysts said the company’s information technology products and services are likely to be in demand, but the company still issued a disappointing outlook earlier this year.

Dollar General’s report will give investors information on the retail sector, with the low-cost seller’s most recent report showing that it’s benefiting from price pressures in the economy. Soup maker Campbell’s, makeup seller Ulta, and pet supplies chain Petco are also reporting this week.  Competitors to Tesla in the Chinese EV markets, Li Auto and Nio, are also set to release earnings.

This Week’s Calendar

Monday, March 9

• Key Earnings: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Casey’s General Store (CASY), Vail Resorts (MTN)

Tuesday, March 10

• Existing home sales (February)
• More Data to Watch: NFIB small business optimism index (February)
• Key Earnings: Oracle (ORCL), AeroVironment (AVAV), Nio (NIO)

Wednesday, March 11

• Consumer Price Index (February)
• More Data to Watch: Monthly U.S. federal budget (February)
• Key Earnings: Campbell’s (CPB), UiPath (PATH), Petco (WOOF)

Thursday, March 12 

• U.S. trade deficit (January)
• More Data to Watch: Initial jobless claims (Week ending March 7), Housing starts (January)
• Key Earnings: Adobe (ADBE), Dollar General (DG), Ulta Beauty (ULTA), Lennar (LEN), Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS), Li Auto (LI)

Friday, March 13

• Personal Consumption Expenditures price index (January)
• More Data to Watch: Gross Domestic Product – first revision (Q4), Durable goods orders (January), Job openings (January), Consumer sentiment – preliminary (March)

One More Thing

As taxpayers file their returns this tax season, many are leaving a major credit on the table. Investopedia’s Elizabeth Guevara has more on a tax credit that one in five eligible taxpayers fails to claim.