Investing.com -- Stocks headed lower on Wednesday as investors turned their attention to the inflation report due out tomorrow.
Amid signs of cooling prices, Federal Reserve officials have said in recent days that they could be near a point where they could pause on further interest rate increases. The proof will be in the data, they said. Rates will continue to remain elevated, however, while the Fed continues to fight inflation and get the rate back to its 2% target.
That all leads into the Fed's September policy meeting. The futures market sees a high probability that the Fed will hold rates steady next month to assess the progress it has already made lifting rates from near zero to above 5% since early 2022. Futures traders are not all in agreement on what happens after that. Some see another rate increase later this year, while others see rates holding.
Fed policymakers head to Jackson Hole, Wyo., later this month for their annual conference, and all ears will be tuned into what they say for hints on the direction this fall.
Here are three things that could affect markets tomorrow:
1. Inflation report
The consumer price index readings for July are due out at 8:30 ET (12:30 GMT). Analysts expect the headline number to rise 0.2% for the month and 3.3% for the year through July. Core CPI is expected to rise 0.2% for the month and 4.7% for the year.
2. Krispy Kreme
Donut chain Krispy Kreme Inc (NASDAQ:DNUT) is expected to report earnings of 7 cents a share on revenue of $410.7 million.
3. Ralph Lauren
The apparel maker Ralph Lauren Corp Class A (NYSE:RL) is expected to report earnings per share of $2.13 on revenue of $1.5 billion.