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Wall Street Week Ahead: Consumer Confidence, Inflation, Employment Updates
Markets are watching whether stubborn inflation, slowing wage growth and softer consumer confidence will show up in three major U.S. reports this week.
Wall Street enters a busy week anticipating crucial updates on consumer confidence, inflation, and employment, with investors focused on how these reports will reflect the economy's reaction to persistent high prices.
War with Iran has stifled global oil supplies since late February, driving up gasoline costs and fueling a broader jump in inflation that remains stubbornly above 3%.
High prices for everything from food to clothing are squeezing household budgets, sapping consumer confidence; The Conference Board's survey revealed shaky sentiment throughout the year, with confidence slipping in August to its lowest level in seven months.
Slower wage growth is making it harder for workers to deal with rising inflation, as the jobs market begins to show signs of stress despite previous resilience.
Markets will look to The Conference Board's survey on Tuesday, the PCE price index for August on Wednesday, and the September employment report on Friday to clarify how consumers are handling current economic pressures.