NEW YORK CITY, US – The S&P 500 closed above the 5,000 mark on Friday, continuing a trend of positive weeks for major U.S. stock averages. The Kansas City Chiefs also secured their second consecutive Super Bowl victory, while the Senate made progress on a long-stalled bill to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
This week, investors will be closely watching a slate of earnings and key economic data to see if equities can continue their steady climb. On Tuesday, consumer price index inflation data will offer insights into the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy path, and on Thursday, January retail sales figures will provide another gauge of consumer health.
In sports news, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched their second consecutive Super Bowl victory, defeating the San Francisco 49ers in a game that went into overtime. Meanwhile, key advertisers like Budweiser, PepsiCo, DoorDash, Microsoft, and Verizon garnered attention with high-profile commercials during the game.
The Senate also saw progress over the weekend as it advanced a bill to provide $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This measure comes after months of efforts by President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats and Republicans to send aid to Ukraine as Russia’s invasion approached its two-year mark.
Earnings reports from S&P 500 companies have been strong, with profits for the quarter jumping 9% and revenue climbing 3.4%. This week, companies in the food and beverage or gig economy sectors will provide further insights into consumer health.
Meanwhile, a judge has ordered Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to testify in a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into his acquisition of Twitter, also known as X, in 2022. This investigation surrounds the possibility of securities fraud as Musk built up a stake in the company ahead of a leveraged buyout.
As the week unfolds, investors will be closely monitoring these developments for their potential impact on the markets.