Wall Street week ahead: Home Depot and Walmart report earnings, minutes of Fed meeting are released

• This week's economic reports highlighted five critical trends focusing on inflation, rising credit card debt, and shifting consumer spending patterns. • The data provides a snapshot of current financial pressures facing households and the overall stability of the economy.

• The S&P 500 closed lower on Friday, retreating from a record high as investors reacted to weaker-than-expected retail sales data. • Market declines were specifically weighed down by the performance of Applied Materials.

• Investors are currently analyzing European stocks to identify companies trading below their intrinsic value amid a resurgence in market risk appetite and resilient earnings. • The analysis focuses on capitalizing on market inefficiencies, specifically looking toward valuations as of August 2026.

• European governments in Berlin and Rome initially attempted to block cross-border bank mergers, specifically targeting UniCredit's efforts to acquire Commerzbank. • The European Commission issued a 56-page preliminary opinion arguing that national security justifications were insufficient and breached EU rules on the free movement of capital.

• USFunds analyzes historical market trends, noting that pullbacks occurring during midterm election years have frequently been followed by double-digit gains. • The analysis emphasizes that specific government policies, rather than the political party in power, are the primary drivers of market performance.

• Federal officials have launched a probe into "mention markets," a growing category of prediction markets where users bet on specific words or phrases spoken by individuals. • The investigation focuses on whether these markets are susceptible to manipulation, particularly following controversies surrounding the platform Kalshi.

• Engineers India reported stronger profits for the first quarter of 2026, as detailed in their latest earnings call transcript. • The company's stock has performed strongly over the past year, delivering a total return of 47% with a low beta of 0.56, indicating lower volatility than the general market.

• On August 14, 2026, the Thai and foreign stock markets experienced a period of selective speculation as investors focused on individual company earnings results. • The market lacked major driving factors, leading investors to adopt a cautious strategy based on specific corporate performance rather than broad trends.

• The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) maintained the repo rate at 7% on July 23, reflecting a strategic "hawkish hold." • The decision highlights a policy deadlock where the bank cannot lower rates due to rising inflation, nor raise them further due to increasing unemployment.

• Global markets are preparing for the U.S. equities cash opening on August 14, 2026, amid a roundup of international financial updates. • Major European indices are trading mostly flat, though Germany's DAX is outperforming with a 0.8% gain driven by strength in SAP and Rheinmetall.

• The S&P 500 reached an all-time high following reports that inflation is cooling, with the producer price index rising 4.7% from July 2025 compared to 5.5% in June. • Fed Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin suggested holding interest rates steady due to declining inflation, though he warned that embedded price pressures could still necessitate future tightening.