Investing.com - Here’s a preview of the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow.
1. Retail Inflation Due Up
Inflation data leads tomorrow’s economic calendar as the latest numbers on retail prices arrive.
The Labor Department will release the October consumer price index (CPI) at 8:30 AM ET (13:30 GMT).
On average, economists expect that the CPI rose 0.3% last month. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, is forecast to have risen 0.2%.
Following a hotter-than-expected producer price index for October, investors will be looking for further evidence that the Federal Reserve can maintain its plan of more rate hikes.
Core prices are viewed by the Fed as a better gauge of longer-term inflationary pressure precisely because they exclude the volatile food and energy categories.
The central bank usually tries to aim for 2% core inflation or less.
Recent solid U.S. economic reports and an upbeat assessment of the economy from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell have triggered expectations for a faster-than-expected pace of rate hikes from the Fed.
2. Macy’s Reports Earnings Before the Bell
Macy’s (NYSE:M) continues the retail earnings coming out this week, issuing numbers before the bell.
Analysts predict that the company earned 14 cents per share on sales of $5.4 billion.
The department store chain has topped profit forecasts in the last three quarters and the stock has nearly doubled in the past year.
The biggest worry, which briefly derailed the stock’s remarkable run over the past year, was rising costs, Investing.com’s Haris Anwar writes.
“During its second quarter earnings report in August, Macy’s warned investors that gross margins are expected to decline in the second half of the year compared with the first half, on higher costs associated with the company’s new loyalty program,” Anwar wrote.
3. Huge Crude Selloff Continues
Oil prices will be grabbing headlines as prices plunged today, pushing crude further into bear market territory.
WTI futures fell about 8%, its 12th consecutive day of losses. WTI is now about 30% off its recent highs, as there looks to be ample supply despite U.S. oil sanctions on Iran going into effect this month.
Strong U.S. production is another factor in the selling and there will be more numbers out tomorrow.
The American Petroleum Institute will report its measure of U.S. crude inventories tomorrow. It reported a build of 7.83 million barrels the week before.