Walmart: Investors will look for insight into the state of the US consumer from the world’s largest retailer this morning, as recent economic data shows easing price pressures for goods. Walmart is expected to report second-quarter earnings of 65 cents a share on $169bn in revenue.
Retail sales: Consumer spending data has the potential to soothe investor nerves about a possible US recession, stirred up this month by a weaker than expected July jobs report. Economists expect US retail sales to have increased 0.3 per cent in July, after June’s flat reading, in data that will shine some light on the health of the domestic economy and potentially shape the Federal Reserve’s decision on whether to cut interest rates in September.
Jobless claims: US stocks surged last Thursday when a better than expected jobless claims report helped allay concerns about a US recession, triggered by a weak jobs report for July. Economists expect 235,000 new applications for state unemployment aid for the week to August 10, up from the previous week’s one-month low of 233,000.
Deere: The world’s largest agricultural equipment maker should offer insights into major farming trends over the coming months. The maker of John Deere tractors is expected to report earnings of $5.69 a share on $10.8bn in revenue.
