Here are the 2 big things we're watching in the stock market in the week ahead
As the earnings season draws to a close, investors are turning their attention to the remaining companies set to report their financial results. This week, the focus will be on the housing market and consumer health, with several key reports and earnings releases on the horizon. The housing market, in particular, will be under scrutiny, with updates from major players such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Toll Brothers.
KEY Earnings Releases
The earnings reports from Home Depot, Lowe's, and Toll Brothers will provide valuable insights into the current state of the housing market. Home Depot, scheduled to report on Tuesday, will be closely watched, given its significant exposure to the Pro customer segment. According to analysts at Bank of America, this exposure is expected to provide an offset to a weaker DIY customer segment, resulting in comparable stores growth that outpaces Lowe's for the remainder of the year. In contrast, Morgan Stanley analysts expect the report to be largely uneventful, with stability but no meaningful recovery. The report comes less than a week after Home Depot announced that CEO Ted Decker would be taking a leave of absence, with Ann-Marie Campbell and Richard McPhail jointly overseeing CEO duties in the interim.
Housing Market Update
In addition to the earnings reports, the Commerce Department will release July housing starts data on Tuesday, along with the National Association of Realtors' pending home sales report. The previous month's data showed a 19% increase in housing starts, driven by multifamily units, while single-family starts declined 0.2%. The pending home sales report, meanwhile, revealed a 5.4% decline, with NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun citing high mortgage rates and record-high national median home prices as contributing factors. While these reports are notable, they are not expected to significantly impact the stock market, given the well-documented sluggishness of the housing industry.
Consumer Health Check
The consumer health sector will also be in focus this week, with TJX Companies' earnings release on Wednesday. The company has reported five consecutive quarters of sales beats across all four operating segments, with strong same-store sales growth. Investors will be looking for this momentum to continue, particularly in light of the company's ability to offer great value and its treasure hunt experience. The earnings releases from Walmart and Ross Stores on Thursday will also provide valuable insights into consumer dynamics and behavior. As of Friday, the Street estimates for TJX Companies are $15.18 billion in revenue and $1.19 in earnings per share.
Week Ahead Outlook
The week ahead will be busy, with several key reports and earnings releases scheduled. On Monday, the Empire State manufacturing index will be released, followed by housing starts and import price index data on Tuesday. The Federal Open Market Committee minutes will be released on Wednesday, while initial jobless claims and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index will be released on Thursday. The S&P Global manufacturing and services PMI will be released on Friday. As investors navigate this busy week, they will be closely watching for any signs of improvement in the housing market and consumer health, as well as any potential surprises in the earnings reports.
Source: CNBC · 2026-08-16