US stocks edged higher on Monday after enjoying their best week of 2024.
The S&P 500 gained nearly 4% last week after a string of economic data showed continued resilience in US consumer spending and a stable labor market.
Now investors will turn their attention to the Federal Reserve's annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell to give a speech on Friday.
While the Fed will not make an interest-rate decision this week, the meeting serves as a chance for Powell to prepare markets for a September interest-rate cut.
"The key is whether Fed Chair Powell is dovish. We expect this to be the case for two simple reasons: first, inflation is tracking better than consensus expected," Fundstrat's Tom Lee said in a note on Monday. "Second, labor market is softening as unemployment is rising. Why would the Fed be hawkish."
Aside from the Fed, investors will pay attention to second-quarter earnings results from retailers including Lowe's , TJX Cos. , and Target , as well as commentary from the Democratic National Convention .
Here's where US indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. opening bell on Monday:
Here's what else is going on today:
In commodities, bonds, and crypto:
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