Here are the 2 big things we're watching in the stock market this week
TITLE: Nvidia Earnings and Jackson Hole Symposium Headling a Pivotal Week for Markets
Wall Street is preparing for a high-stakes week defined by the latest financial results from Nvidia and the highly anticipated Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium. These events are expected to provide critical insights into the trajectory of the artificial intelligence sector and the Federal Reserve's strategy regarding interest rates. Beyond these primary drivers, market participants are monitoring earnings from Salesforce and CrowdStrike alongside a complicated geopolitical landscape.
Geopolitical Tensions and Trade Negotiations
Recent developments in international trade have added a layer of complexity for investors. Negotiations between the United States and Canada recently collapsed, leading the Trump administration to implement 50% tariffs on specific Canadian imports. In response, Canada has scheduled retaliatory duties to begin on September 8. While this friction is less expansive than the trade conflicts seen in 2025, it joins ongoing instability in the Middle East as a significant source of geopolitical tension that investors must monitor.
Nvidia and the AI Sector
On Wednesday, Nvidia is scheduled to release its quarterly figures, with analysts surveyed by LSEG predicting earnings per share of $2.09 on $92.04 billion in revenue. To maintain its stock momentum above the $210 threshold, the company likely needs to surpass these estimates and provide strong future guidance. Investors are particularly interested in how CEO Jensen Huang and CFO Colette Kress manage supply constraints and rising memory costs. Bloomberg News recently reported that Nvidia has already notified major clients of price hikes for servers equipped with its AI processors. The market will also look for updates on a $500 billion financing initiative with Wall Street firms intended to support AI infrastructure.
Software and Cybersecurity Outlook
Salesforce and CrowdStrike are also under the spotlight this week. Salesforce, led by Marc Benioff, is expected to report $11.32 billion in revenue and an adjusted earnings per share of $3.27. A key metric will be the $1.2 billion in annual recurring revenue previously reported for its Agentforce suite. Meanwhile, CrowdStrike is projected to post sales of $1.44 billion and adjusted earnings of 29 cents per share. While cybersecurity is increasingly viewed as a necessary component for AI adoption, CrowdStrike shares have recently retreated more than 15% from their peaks, raising the stakes for its upcoming report.
Warsh at Jackson Hole
The week concludes with a major address from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday. This marks the first such appearance for Warsh since he took over from Jerome Powell in May. Market observers are eager to understand the new chairman's economic philosophy, especially as he has called for a regime change at the central bank. Former Fed economist Claudia Sahm noted that a chairman's debut at this event often reveals their long-term style. Warsh faces pressure to clarify the Fed's reaction function after the July meeting left some, including former Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, seeking more transparency on potential rate hikes.
Inflation and Economic Data
Before the Friday speech, the government will release the July personal consumption expenditures price index on Wednesday. This is the preferred inflation metric for the Fed. FactSet estimates suggest a 0.18% monthly increase in the core PCE, representing a 3.2% rise year over year. Additionally, the second reading of second-quarter gross domestic product and July durable goods orders will be published. Economists anticipate a 0.4% rise in durable goods, a category that includes aircraft manufactured by Boeing. These reports will help determine if the Fed considers an interest rate hike in September.
Source: CNBC · 2026-08-23