Retailers Brace for Earnings Week as Inflation Cools

Investors are bracing for a week of retail earnings from Walmart, Target and Home Depot as inflation cools and consumer sentiment remains cautious. July retail sales fell 0.6%, underscoring slower consumer spending even as retailers deploy pricing strategies to attract belt-tightening shoppers. In addition to the big three, results from Estée Lauder, TJX, Deere and others, plus the Fed minutes, will inform views on inflation, consumer demand, and the path for rates.