This week, Wall Street will receive financial updates from some of the country’s major retailers, alongside insights from the latest Federal Reserve meeting. Key players in the retail sector, including Home Depot, Target, Lowes, and Walmart, are set to release their financial results.

Home Depot will reveal its figures on Tuesday. Target and Lowes will follow on Wednesday, with Walmart concluding the reports on Thursday. These results are crucial for investors seeking to understand the impact of persistent inflation on both businesses and consumers.

Currently, inflation remains above 3%. Factors like the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran have led to increased oil prices, affecting gasoline costs. This situation could lead consumers to adjust their spending, affecting everything from gasoline to groceries and other shipped goods.

The performance of Home Depot and Lowes is expected to provide clarity on the housing market, indicating consumer spending on home improvements. Similarly, Target and Walmart’s forecasts will shed light on household budgeting and spending behaviors.

On Wednesday, Wall Street and economists will receive more information about the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policies when it releases minutes from July’s meeting. The Fed maintained its interest rate in July but faced internal disagreements. Three officials favored a rate increase, reflecting concerns about inflation, the job market, and economic trends. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh likened the discussion to a ‘good family fight.’ Wall Street anticipates at least one rate hike by the end of 2026.