Big Banks and Inflation Data Dominate the Week Ahead
Fourth-quarter earnings from major financial institutions take center stage this week, with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley set to report. JPMorgan's upcoming Apple Card partnership adds intrigue to its Tuesday release, while Wells Fargo anticipates slower net interest income growth on Wednesday.
December's Consumer Price Index lands Tuesday, offering critical insights into inflationary trends. Retail sales data follows Wednesday, painting a broader picture of economic health. Taiwan Semiconductor's Thursday earnings may serve as a bellwether for AI chip demand and broader tech sector performance.
The labor market shows concerning weakness, with only 584,000 jobs added in 2025—the slowest non-recessionary growth since 2003. Federal Reserve officials maintain a cautious stance, with traders pricing in 95% odds of unchanged rates at January's meeting.