The American consumer, long the undisputed engine of global economic growth, appears to have hit a significant roadblock. In a data release that sent tremors through Wall Street this mid-February 2026, the Department of Commerce reported that retail sales for the previous period were officially flat, coming in at a
NEW YORK — Wall Street is battening down the hatches for what traders are calling "Macro Friday." On February 20, 2026, the Bureau of Economic Analysis is set to release a rare, high-stakes "data deluge" that could dictate the trajectory of the U.S. economy for the remainder of the year.
As the global retail landscape prepares for a pivotal update, all eyes are on Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) as it readies its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings report scheduled for the morning of February 19, 2026. Following a tumultuous end to 2025—marked by a record-breaking 43-day federal government shutdown and
As the retail landscape braces for the final tallies of the fiscal year, all eyes are on Walmart (NYSE: WMT), which is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2026 earnings on the morning of February 19. Two days ahead of the release, the consensus among analysts is that the Bentonville giant
As of February 17, 2026, Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has officially entered a new era of corporate history. Long regarded as the quintessential "brick-and-mortar" giant, the Bentonville-based retailer recently crossed the historic $1 trillion market capitalization milestone on February 3, 2026. This achievement is not merely a reflection of its scale but a validation of [...]
The American consumer entered 2026 with an unexpected burst of energy, defying the gravitational pull of high interest rates and "sticky" core inflation. According to data released in mid-February, January’s retail performance showed a resilient spending appetite that has bolstered the narrative of a "soft landing"—a scenario where
The United States economy reached a long-awaited milestone this week as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that headline inflation fell to 2.4% in January 2026, with the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) cooling to 2.5%. These figures represent the lowest inflationary readings since early 2021, signaling a
In a high-stakes forecast that has captured the attention of retail investors and institutional desks alike, analysts at UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) have released a strikingly optimistic earnings preview for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT). As the retail giant prepares to pull back the curtain on its fourth-quarter results for
In a historic shift for the global equity markets, Walmart Inc. (Nasdaq:WMT) officially crossed the $1 trillion market capitalization threshold on February 3, 2026. The milestone marks the first time a traditional "brick-and-mortar" retailer has ascended to the valuation heights previously dominated by Silicon Valley’s technology elite. This
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after a softer-than-expected inflation report fueled hopes for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The January Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, rose by 0.2%, which was less than economists had forecast, with the annual rate cooling to 2.4%. This encouraging data increased market expectations for the Fed to begin cutting interest rates as early as June. The news prompted a rally in Treasuries as their yields fell. While the market's reaction was initially described as a "bumpy ride" due to concerns in other sectors, the favorable inflation data ultimately helped calm Wall Street. Lower inflation is a key prerequisite for the central bank to ease its monetary policy, which is generally supportive of stock valuations.
NEW YORK — The American consumer engine, long the primary thruster of global economic growth, appears to have sputtered to a complete halt at the close of 2025. In a highly anticipated data release this week that was delayed nearly two months by a historic federal government shutdown, the U.S.
EL SEGUNDO, CA — Shares of toy powerhouse Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) experienced a devastating sell-off on February 12, 2026, plummeting 24% in a single trading session. The move comes on the heels of a disastrous fourth-quarter earnings report and a fiscal year 2026 outlook that left Wall Street questioning the
As the final results of the Q4 2025 earnings season trickle in this February 12, 2026, the S&P 500 has managed to navigate a treacherous path of high expectations and a tightening monetary narrative. Despite initial fears that high interest rates and a cooling labor market would erode corporate
The American consumer, long considered the indomitable engine of the global economy, has finally hit a wall. On February 10, 2026, the Department of Commerce released a highly anticipated report revealing that retail sales in the United States were flat—0.0% growth—for the final month of 2025. This
The American consumer, long the indomitable engine of the global economy, appears to have hit a sudden roadblock. Fresh data released by the Commerce Department on February 10, 2026—following a delay caused by a 43-day government shutdown—revealed that retail sales were flat (0.0%) in December 2025. This
On February 11, 2026, the financial world woke up to a statistical earthquake that has fundamentally rewritten the narrative of the American economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its final benchmark revision for the 2025 calendar year, revealing that 400,000 fewer jobs were created than previously reported.
The S&P 500 Index retreated further from its historic peaks on Wednesday, closing at 6,914.75, a decline of 0.39% for the session. This pullback marks a significant cooling period for a market that only weeks ago, on January 28, 2026, celebrated a record-shattering high of 7,
The American consumer is currently living in two different realities. In early 2026, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index plummeted to a 12-year low of 84.5, a level not seen since the sluggish recovery of 2014. This sharp decline from December’s 94.2 reading has sent shockwaves
The optimism that defined the start of the year has met a cold reality this February. As of February 11, 2026, the market’s fervent expectation for a March interest rate cut has all but vanished, replaced by a cautious "hawkish pause" from the Federal Reserve. A paradoxical mix of
The American consumer, long the indestructible engine of the global economy, appears to have finally stalled. Data released yesterday by the Department of Commerce revealed that U.S. retail sales remained unchanged in December, posting a 0.0% growth rate that stunned markets and significantly undercut the 0.4% expansion
