As the market continues to show signs of recovery, investors are closely watching key indicators that could shed light on the health of the US economy. Stock futures edged higher Thursday, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures up 0.1%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointing up 0.2%.
One of the main focal points of the day was the earnings report from retail giant Walmart (WMT), which saw its shares surge nearly 6% after beating expectations on both earnings and revenue. The company also raised its full-year outlook, signaling confidence in its growth prospects.
Additionally, investors are awaiting the release of the monthly government retail sales data, expected at 8:30 a.m. ET. Economists are anticipating a 0.3% increase month over month in July, following a flat reading in June that surpassed expectations.
Another key data point on investors’ radar is the weekly update on jobless claims. Last week, jobless claims fell more than forecast, hinting at a strong labor market recovery. As inflation pressures ease, the jobs market is becoming a focal point for the Federal Reserve’s next moves.
After a turbulent start to August, stocks have been on a rebound, with the S&P 500 almost recovering all its losses from the beginning of the month. Investors are closely monitoring these economic indicators for clues on the trajectory of the recovery and potential market trends.
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