The stock market week ahead is unusually busy for late August, with Nvidia earnings, U.S. inflation data, Jackson Hole and European central-bank signals all landing in a compressed window. For investors tracking the stock market this week, the central question is whether AI earnings, inflation trends and bond yields can stabilize risk appetite after recent volatility.
Earnings to Watch This Week
The biggest earnings report this week is Nvidia. Nvidia, ticker NVDA, reports on Wednesday, August 26, and analysts expect adjusted earnings per share of about $2.09. The key issues to watch are data-center growth, China-related revenue, AI chip demand and updates on the Rubin and Blackwell product ramps. Because Nvidia has become the defining stock of the AI trade, its results could influence the broader Nasdaq outlook, semiconductor shares and investor appetite for growth stocks.
Salesforce, ticker CRM, also reports on Wednesday, August 26, with analysts expecting adjusted earnings per share of roughly $3.28. Investors will focus on AI demand, cloud software growth, operating margins and forward guidance. Salesforce matters because it is a major read-through for enterprise software spending, corporate IT budgets and the durability of AI-related revenue growth outside the semiconductor industry.
CrowdStrike, ticker CRWD, reports on Wednesday, August 26, with analysts expecting adjusted earnings per share of around $1.16 to $1.17. The main areas to watch are annual recurring revenue, cybersecurity demand, customer growth and AI-driven security products. CrowdStrike will be closely followed by traders looking for signs that cybersecurity remains one of the stronger software subsectors.
Intuit, ticker INTU, reports on Tuesday, August 25, with analysts expecting adjusted earnings per share of about $3.59. Investors will watch performance across TurboTax, Credit Karma and QuickBooks, as well as management’s outlook for small-business spending and consumer finance activity.
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Workday, ticker WDAY, reports on Thursday, August 27, with analysts expecting adjusted earnings per share of around $2.34. The most important metrics will be subscription revenue growth, enterprise software demand, AI platform adoption and guidance for the second half of the year.
Marvell Technology, ticker MRVL, reports on Thursday, August 27, with analysts expecting adjusted earnings per share of roughly $0.87. Investors will be watching custom AI chip demand, data-center revenue, networking exposure and any commentary tied to hyperscale customers.
Kohl’s, ticker KSS, reports on Wednesday, August 26, with analysts expecting earnings per share of about $0.55. The report will provide a read on consumer resilience, discretionary spending, inventory levels, markdown pressure and retail margins.
Among these reports, Nvidia is by far the most market-moving. Salesforce and CrowdStrike are also important because they can confirm whether AI enthusiasm is translating into broader enterprise software demand. Kohl’s gives investors a different kind of signal: whether lower- and middle-income consumers are still spending in a higher-rate environment. For traders comparing a stock trading platform or looking for the best online broker during earnings season, this is the kind of week where liquidity, options tools and risk controls matter.
Key Economic Data This Week
The U.S. macroeconomic calendar starts on Tuesday, August 25, with new home sales and consumer confidence. New home sales previously came in at 628,000, and economists expect a decline to around 619,000. The market impact is likely to be medium, since housing is sensitive to mortgage rates and consumer affordability. Consumer confidence previously stood at 90.8, with consensus near 90.1. This release also carries medium market impact because it can shape expectations for household spending.
The most important U.S. data arrive on Wednesday, August 26. Durable goods orders are expected to rise by about 0.5%, compared with a previous gain of 0.3%. This release has medium market impact because it provides insight into business investment and manufacturing demand.
Also on Wednesday, investors will receive the second estimate of second-quarter U.S. GDP. The previous reading was 1.5%, and the consensus estimate is also 1.5%. This is a high-impact release because it helps investors judge whether the economy is slowing, stabilizing or reaccelerating.
The biggest macro event of the week is July PCE inflation, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Headline PCE inflation was previously 3.7% year over year, and economists expect it to ease to around 3.6%. Core PCE inflation was previously 3.3% year over year, with the consensus also at 3.3%. Both figures carry high market impact. A cooler inflation reading could support growth stocks and ease pressure on bond yields, while a hotter reading could revive concern about the path of interest rates.
On Thursday, August 27, weekly U.S. jobless claims are expected to remain near 206,000, matching the previous reading. This release has medium market impact because labor-market strength remains important for Federal Reserve policy expectations.
On Friday, August 28, the final University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading is expected. The prior reading was 55.2, while the consensus estimate is around 51.0. The market impact is medium because sentiment can affect expectations for consumer spending. Chicago PMI is also due Friday and will be watched as a regional manufacturing signal.
In Europe, the most important early-week release is the German Ifo Business Climate Index, due Tuesday, August 25. The previous reading was 86.6, and the consensus estimate is around 87.3. This is a high-impact European release because Germany remains the eurozone’s largest economy and a key barometer for industrial demand.
On Thursday, August 27, the European Central Bank publishes monetary developments and monetary policy accounts. The monetary developments release covers July data and carries medium market impact. The ECB policy accounts are more important because investors will look for clues about the next ECB interest rate decision, inflation concerns and the balance of views inside the Governing Council.
For long-term investors, this week’s inflation data matters because it affects discount rates, equity valuations and portfolio diversification decisions. It does not change the basic logic of how to invest in stocks: maintain discipline, avoid excessive concentration and distinguish short-term earnings volatility from long-term business value.
Central Bank Watch
The Federal Reserve is the central-bank focus this week because the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium runs from August 27 to August 29. The 2026 theme is centered on financial innovation, payments and policy. Markets will be watching closely for comments from Fed officials about inflation, labor-market conditions, bond yields and financial stability.
There is no scheduled Fed interest rate decision this week, but Jackson Hole can still move markets if policymakers signal a shift in tone. A more dovish message could support equities, especially technology and growth stocks. A more cautious or inflation-focused message could pressure the S&P 500, Nasdaq and rate-sensitive sectors.
The European Central Bank does not hold a rate decision this week, but Thursday’s policy accounts could influence the euro, European bond yields and bank stocks. At its latest meeting, the ECB kept rates unchanged, with the deposit facility at 2.25%, the main refinancing rate at 2.40%, and the marginal lending facility at 2.65%. Investors will study the accounts for clues on whether policymakers are more concerned about sticky inflation, weak growth or geopolitical energy risks.
The Bank of England is also not expected to announce policy this week. Its next decision is scheduled for September 17, and Bank Rate currently stands at 3.75%. For investors tracking the FTSE 100 forecast, Bank of England expectations still matter because they affect sterling, banks, homebuilders and dividend stocks.
Geopolitical Risks & Macro Themes
Geopolitical risk remains a live input for equities, bonds, currencies and commodities. Markets are monitoring Middle East tensions, Iran-related headlines and the potential for energy-market disruption. Oil prices are particularly important for inflation expectations because higher energy costs can complicate the central-bank outlook.
Trade policy is another important theme. Investors are watching tariff developments, sanctions headlines and U.S.-Canada trade tensions. Any escalation could affect industrial shares, automakers, materials companies and cross-border supply chains.
European markets are especially sensitive to energy risk. Higher oil or gas prices can pressure corporate margins and household purchasing power, while also complicating the path for eurozone inflation. That makes the ECB’s policy language important for investors considering European stocks to buy, the best European ETF, or regional exposure through diversified funds.
The broader macro backdrop is still defined by three forces: AI-driven earnings optimism, persistent inflation uncertainty and elevated long-term bond yields. If Nvidia delivers strong results and PCE inflation is benign, risk appetite could improve. If earnings disappoint or inflation comes in hotter than expected, investors may rotate toward defensive sectors, dividend stocks and lower-volatility strategies.
Market Outlook & Levels to Watch
The S&P 500 begins the week near 7,674, following a volatile stretch in which technology shares led the market lower before Friday’s rebound. The S&P 500 forecast is neutral-to-cautious. Key support sits near 7,600, with a deeper support zone around 7,500. Resistance is near 7,675 to 7,750. A convincing move above that zone could signal renewed risk appetite, while a break below 7,600 would suggest that sellers remain in control.
The Nasdaq Composite starts near 26,180 and remains highly sensitive to Nvidia, AI semiconductor names and mega-cap technology. The Nasdaq outlook depends heavily on whether Nvidia’s earnings confirm continued demand for AI infrastructure. Nasdaq support is near 26,000, while resistance is around 26,300 to 26,700.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average begins the week near 53,277. Compared with the Nasdaq, the Dow has more exposure to industrials, financials, health care and defensive blue chips. If investors rotate away from high-valuation growth stocks, the Dow could outperform on a relative basis.
In Europe, the DAX starts near 26,137. The DAX outlook this week is constructive but cautious, with support near 26,000 and resistance around 26,300 to 26,500. The index will be sensitive to German business sentiment, ECB commentary, eurozone inflation expectations and global risk appetite.
The FTSE 100 begins near 10,817. The FTSE 100 forecast is more defensive than the Nasdaq or DAX because the index has large exposure to energy, mining, banks, health care and dividend-paying multinational companies. Support is near 10,750, while resistance is near 11,000.
The CAC 40 starts near 8,484. France’s benchmark index remains range-bound but constructive, with luxury goods, industrials, banks and energy-sensitive shares likely to respond to eurozone data and global risk conditions.
From a sector perspective, analysts are watching AI semiconductors, enterprise software, cybersecurity, discount retail, health care, materials and financials. AI remains the most important growth theme, but investors are also looking for signs of sector rotation into defensives, value stocks and cash-generating businesses. For readers searching for stocks to watch this week, the better approach is to focus on earnings catalysts, balance-sheet quality and valuation rather than chase generic lists of the best stocks to buy now.
What to Watch Next
The first major catalyst is Nvidia earnings on Wednesday, August 26. This report could set the tone for AI stocks, semiconductor shares, the Nasdaq and broader growth-stock sentiment.
The second major catalyst is U.S. PCE inflation and GDP data, also due Wednesday. These releases will shape expectations for the Federal Reserve, bond yields and the dollar.
The third major catalyst is Jackson Hole, which runs from Thursday through Saturday. Any shift in Fed communication could affect equities, Treasuries, currencies and commodities.
For market levels, investors should watch 7,600 and 7,750 on the S&P 500, 26,000 and 26,700 on the Nasdaq, 26,000 and 26,500 on the DAX, and 10,750 and 11,000 on the FTSE 100.
FAQ
What stocks are reporting earnings this week?
The biggest stocks reporting earnings this week include Nvidia, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Intuit, Workday, Marvell Technology and Kohl’s. Nvidia is the most important because it is central to the AI trade and could influence the broader market.
How will this week’s PCE inflation data affect the stock market?
A cooler PCE inflation reading could support growth stocks by easing pressure on bond yields. A hotter reading could weigh on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq by increasing concern that interest rates may stay higher for longer.
Is now a good time to invest in stocks?
That depends on risk tolerance, time horizon and portfolio goals. Long-term investing usually benefits from discipline and diversification, but earnings-heavy weeks can create short-term volatility.
What is the best online broker for trading earnings?
The best online broker depends on trading costs, research tools, options functionality, execution quality and risk-management features. Investors should compare several stock trading platforms before trading around earnings.
What is the outlook for European stocks this week?
European stocks face a mixed setup. The DAX and CAC 40 will be sensitive to ECB signals, German business sentiment and eurozone inflation expectations, while the FTSE 100 may benefit from defensive, energy and commodity-linked exposure.
How do Fed speeches affect stock prices?
Fed speeches can move stock prices by changing expectations for interest rates, inflation, bond yields and economic growth. Hawkish comments can pressure equities, while dovish comments can support risk assets.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
