Recent market activity has seen significant volatility, driven largely by evolving tariff policies and comments from President Donald Trump. His remarks have created a climate of uncertainty that pushed the S&P 500 into correction territory with a 10% drop. Fortunately, a strong performance on Friday helped recover some of those losses. One thing that is uncertain—and will likely always be uncertain—is what Donald Trump will say next. As we move into the new week, all eyes will be on how the below events continue to shape market trends and investor sentiment.
Monday – March 17
Economic Data:
- 8:30 a.m. EST: February Retail Sales Report
This report will provide insight into consumer spending trends. Analysts expect retail sales to be flat when compared to January, excluding gas and auto purchases, which can sometimes skew the data. A stagnant report could signal a pause in consumer spending growth, while a surprise uptick would indicate stronger-than-expected economic momentum.
Conferences:
- Nvidia’s GTC Event (March 17-21):
Nvidia is hosting its annual GPU Technology Conference, where CEO Jensen Huang is expected to deliver a keynote address on Tuesday. The focus of this conference will be on advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automotive technologies. Nvidia’s innovations often have ripple effects across industries. Investors should watch for potential updates on Nvidia’s new technologies, as they could significantly influence the market.
Tuesday – March 18
Earnings Watch:
- XPeng (XPEV), Tencent Music (TME), and ZTO Express (ZTO) are all set to report earnings. These companies operate in the electric vehicle, entertainment, and logistics sectors, respectively. Overall, it is a pretty quiet week of earnings and the companies mentioned in this article are the ones I will be tuning into.
Investor Events:
- Adobe Investor Meeting: Adobe reported its earnings last week, and despite delivering relatively strong numbers, the company’s stock saw a significant decline. The drop was largely attributed to lowered guidance, compounded by a challenging market environment that made it a particularly difficult week for earnings reports. Investors are now awaiting Adobe’s upcoming investor meeting this week, hopeful that the company can provide reassurance and potentially recover some of the losses from last week.
Economic Data:
- 8:30 a.m. EST: Housing Starts and Building Permits
These data points reflect the state of the housing market and overall construction activity. Housing starts measure the number of new residential building projects begun, while building permits indicate the number of new permits issued for construction. A rise in either metric typically signals growth in the housing market, which can have a broad impact on the economy, influencing everything from employment in construction to consumer spending on home-related goods.
Wednesday – March 19
Earnings Watch:
- General Mills (GIS), Signet Jewelers (SIG), and Five Below (FIVE) are reporting earnings Wednesday. These earnings will give us insights into sectors like consumer goods, retail, and luxury.
Federal Reserve Decision:
- 2:00 p.m. EST: Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision
The Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at this meeting. However, the focus will be on Jerome Powell’s speech at 2:30 p.m., where he will likely address the latest inflation data and the Fed’s outlook for the economy. Powell is expected to acknowledge positive progress in fighting inflation, but he will likely stress that the Fed remains “data dependent” and will continue to act cautiously. While Powell will avoid commenting directly on tariff-related uncertainty, his remarks on inflation and monetary policy will be key to understanding future Fed actions.
Thursday – March 20
Earnings Watch:
- Thursday marks the biggest day for earnings this week, with major companies such as Accenture (ACN), PDD Holdings (PDD), Darden Restaurants (DRI), FactSet (FDS), FedEx (FDX), Nike (NKE), Micron (MU), and Lennar (LEN) set to report. These earnings will offer valuable insights across multiple sectors, including consumer goods, logistics, technology, and real estate. FedEx and Nike will be closely watched for updates on global supply chain dynamics and retail performance, while Micron’s report will provide a key update on the semiconductor industry, which continues to navigate supply and demand challenges.
Economic Data:
- 8:30 a.m. EST: Initial Jobless Claims
This weekly report shows the number of people applying for unemployment benefits and serves as an important indicator of labor market health. A significant uptick in claims could suggest weakening in the job market, while a steady or decreasing trend would indicate resilience in the labor force.
Friday – March 21
Earnings Watch:
- NIO (NIO) and Carnival (CCL) will report earnings today. NIO, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer in China, will provide updates on its sales growth, while Carnival will give insight into the health of the travel and leisure sector as the cruise line industry continues to recover post-pandemic.
If you have any questions about how these events might affect your portfolio or need guidance on navigating the current market environment, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any specific securities. The content reflects the opinions of Brooks Wealth Management based on available data as of the publication date and is subject to change. Market conditions can be volatile, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Brooks Wealth Management does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided.