What to Look Out for in Economic Data This Week…

What to Look Out for in Economic Data This Week (August 10-14)

Calendar sitting next to stacks of coins and calculator.

In the aftermath of a weaker than expected July jobs report, investors, traders and speculators will focus this week on inflation.

Wednesday's release of Consumer Price Index (CPI) data and Thursday's release of Producer Price Index (PPI) data for July will provide more pieces as the Fed considers the appropriate level for interest rates.

Markets will also take note of July retail sales figures, as well as the preliminary look at consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan on Friday.

Economic reports we're watching:

Wednesday, August 10: Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Core CPI: Energy prices remain volatile, but there are many factors to consider when it comes to consumer inflation, including other goods, as well as services.

Read on to see the entire weekly economic calendar of the most important upcoming economic reports scheduled to be released in the next several days. At times, we provide expanded previews and recaps for select reports.

Please check back often. This economic calendar is updated regularly. Bolded reports are those considered more noteworthy. All reporting times are in Eastern Time.

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Monday (8/10)

There are no noteworthy economic reports scheduled for release on Monday, August 10.

Tuesday (8/11)

Noteworthy economic reports
Time released	Economic report	Period
6 am	NFIB Small Business Optimism Index	July
10 am	Existing home sales	July

Wednesday (8/12)

Noteworthy economic reports
Time released	Economic report	Period
8:30 am	Consumer Price Index (CPI)	July
8:30 am	Core CPI	July
2 pm	Monthly federal budget	July

Did inflation bounce back in July?

"We expect the July CPI report to show a rebound in inflation following June's unusually subdued print," Barclays economist Pooja Sriram writes. Sriram sees a 0.16% seasonally adjusted month-over-month rise in headline CPI "despite another month of decline in gasoline prices."

The June CPI report was cooler than expected due to a sharp decline in energy prices. Crude oil has been volatile. But the economist expects the boost to come from core CPI, which will be up 0.24% MoM, an increase of 26 basis points vs June, "with all of the upside coming from services categories."

As Sriram concludes, July CPI data in line with her forecasts "would likely be viewed as sufficiently benign for centrist FOMC participants to continue signaling a hold, pending August developments."

The economist concedes that annual inflation "would remain uncomfortably high" compared to a year ago, but monthly CPI "with a 0.2% handle should lessen concerns that underlying inflation is re-accelerating."

Bottom line, Sriram still expects the Fed to keep the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75% through this year and into 2027, "although risks are skewed towards hikes in the event of unfavorable inflation outcomes in the coming months."

Thursday (8/13)

Noteworthy economic reports
Time released	Economic report	Period
8:30 am	Weekly jobless claims	Week ending August 8
8:30 am	Producer Price Index (PPI)	July
8:30 am	Core PPI	July

Friday (8/14)

Noteworthy economic reports
Time released	Economic report	Period
8:30 am	Retail sales	July
10 am	Business inventories	June
10 am	University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (preliminary)	August