By Christiana Sciaudone
Investing.com -- Stocks close higher after a largely indecisive Monday.
Energy and financials slid as European nations including Germany suspended the AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) vaccine over health concerns, but airlines rallied as we're expected to return to the skies sooner rather than later thanks to the faster pace of vaccines roll outs in the U.S..
The Transportation Security Administration said that it screened 1.37 million people on Friday, the highest number of passengers it has seen on a single day since March 15 of last year.
Chip stocks rallied as the shortage should lead to higher prices, while other tech stocks were mixed.
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee kicks off its two-day policy meeting this week, and is expected to leave rates and the pace of its $120 billion monthly bond-buying program unchanged.
We'll get some retail and home insight tomorrow, among other economic indicators.
Here are three things that could affect markets tomorrow:
1. Sales Slump?
Retail sales may decline in February as a result of bad weather across large parts of the country and a lack of stimulus checks. The government support helped drive a 5.3% surge in January, which was the biggest gain in seven months. Economists are calling for a 0.3% dip when the number is reported at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
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How About Homes?
Consensus predicts the NAHB Housing Market Index for March will remain little changed at 83 from 84. Continued momentum in new construction and scarce inventory should offset the recent mortgage rate increases. Among other economic data on top are: business inventories, industrial production and import prices.
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CrowdStrike Results
Cybersecurity company Crowdstrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) is due to report results after the close. Its business is likely to benefit from recent high-profile hacks still in the news. It's estimated to post earnings of about 8 cents a share on $250 million in sales for the fourth quarter.