Monday 18 August 2025

Start the Week 18 August 2025

This week, markets will be keeping a close eye on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who is scheduled to speak at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium on Friday. His remarks could shed light on the Fed’s next moves on interest rates, at a time when inflation is stubborn and the job market looks softer than expected. Pressure from the White House for rate cuts has added to the anticipation.

Fed Policy: Investors want clarity on whether a rate cut could come at the September meeting. July’s Fed meeting minutes (due Wednesday) will also give insight, especially since two committee members recently broke from consensus by voting for a cut.

Retail Earnings: A slate of big-box retailers will report results, offering a snapshot of U.S. consumer health and how tariffs are affecting prices. Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ross, and TJX are all on deck. Some retailers, like Walmart, have signaled they may raise prices to offset tariff costs, while others, like Home Depot, are trying to hold prices steady.

Housing & Jobs Data: Reports on housing starts, existing home sales, and jobless claims will show how rate and price pressures are feeding through to real estate and employment.

Other Earnings to Watch: Beyond retail, companies like Palo Alto Networks, Medtronic, Analog Devices, Intuit, Workday, and Baidu are also reporting, spanning tech, health, and enterprise software.

U.S. indexes finished higher, with the Dow even reaching an intraday record. Markets are now looking to see if momentum continues, or if Powell’s comments change the tone.

Monday, Aug. 18

Homebuilder sentiment (August)

Earnings: Palo Alto Networks

Tuesday, Aug. 19

July housing starts

Earnings: Home Depot, Medtronic, Keysight, Viking, XPeng, Toll Brothers

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Fed July meeting minutes

Fed speech: Raphael Bostic (Atlanta Fed)

Earnings: TJX, Lowe’s, Analog Devices, Target, Estee Lauder, Baidu

Thursday, Aug. 21

Existing home sales (July)

Fed speeches (including Bostic again); Jackson Hole Symposium begins

Data: Weekly jobless claims, Philly Fed survey, Flash PMI, Leading indicators

Earnings: Walmart, Intuit, Workday, Ross Stores

Friday, Aug. 22

Remarks from Powell at Jackson Hole

Earnings: BJ’s Wholesale Club