Joey Solitro
Stocks were choppy Friday as volume thinned out ahead of the long holiday weekend. As a reminder, Monday is a stock market holiday, with both the equities and bond markets closed for Labor Day. Today, though, investors took in a not-too-terrible update on inflation and a round of concerning retail earnings.
Starting with the economic data. All eyes were on this morning's release of the Personal Consumption and Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, which rose 0.2% month-over-month in July and was up 2.5% year-over-year. Core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased 0.2% on a monthly basis and was up 2.6% from the year-ago period.
The data also showed that personal income rose at a slightly higher-than-expected 0.3% rate, while the 0.5% increase in consumer spending matched economists' forecasts.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
"Regarding this morning's PCE that came in as expected, no news is good news," said Gina Bolvin, president of Bolvin Wealth Management Group, in a statement. "The runway is all clear for the Fed to cut rates in September. The only question is if the cut will be 0.25% or 0.50%."
According to CME Group's FedWatch Tool, futures traders are currently pricing in a 69.5% chance the central bank will lower the federal funds rate by a quarter-percentage point at its next meeting. Odds for a half-percentage-point cut are at 30.5%.
Elsewhere, data from the University of Michigan showed its Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 67.9 in August from 66.4 in July. The survey also showed that households' one-year inflation expectation now sits at 2.8%, down from 2.9% in July. The five-year inflation expectation remained unchanged at 3%.
Wall Street says buy the dip on Ulta
In single-stock news, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) stock sank 4% after the beauty retailer came up short of top- and bottom-line expectations for its second quarter and lowered its full-year outlook.
However, this is just more of the same for the consumer discretionary stock. While shares got a short-lived boost earlier this month on news Ulta was added to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway equity portfolio in Q2, they remain 28% lower for the year to date.
Still, Oppenheimer analyst Rupesh Parikh (Outperform, the equivalent of a Buy) "looks favorably on ULTA's long-term prospects," citing the company's differentiated offerings, potential to deliver above-average growth rates in retail, and strong management as some of the reasons he is bullish.
"We continue to view ULTA shares as appropriate for longer-term players and would take advantage of any dips from here," Parikh adds.
Lululemon slips after top-line miss
Lululemon Athletica (LULU) stock edged up 0.2% after the athleisure company reported lower-than-expected revenue for its second quarter and cut its full-year outlook due to "uncertainties in the macro environment."
Wall Street doesn't seem too worried about LULU's short-term struggles. "Lululemon has a strong brand and growing e-commerce sales, which we expect will lead to higher margins over the next several years," says Argus Research analyst John Staszak, who maintained a Buy rating on the stock after earnings. "In all, we believe that the company's prospects are among the best in the apparel sector."
As for the main indexes, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6% to 41,563 – good for a new record closing high – the S&P 500 added 1.0% to 5,648, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.1% to 17,713. Stocks closed mixed on the week, but higher on the month.
Related content
- Earnings Calendar and Analysis for This Week (September 2-6)
- Dell Stock: Wall Street Sees More Upside After Earnings
- When Is the Next Jobs Report?
-
Stock Market Winners and Losers of the 'Big, Beautiful' BillDefense, manufacturing and tech should prosper, while health care and green energy stocks face hurdles.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here's How to Invest Like the Wealthy, Even if You Don't Have MillionsPrivate market investments, once exclusive to the ultra-wealthy and institutions, have become more accessible to individual investors, thanks to regulatory changes and new investment structures.
-
Four Ways a Massive Emergency Fund Can Hurt You More Than It HelpsSaving too much could mean you're missing opportunities to put your money to work. Redirect some of that money toward paying off debt, building retirement funds, fulfilling a dream or investing in higher-growth options.
-
With Buffett Retiring, Should You Invest in a Berkshire Copycat?Warren Buffett will step down at the end of this year. Should you explore one of a handful of Berkshire Hathaway clones or copycat funds?
-
I'm a Financial Planner: How to Dodge a Retirement Danger You May Not Have Heard AboutTiming is everything, and sequence of returns risk can mean the difference between a retirement nest egg that's overflowing … or empty.
-
Caring for Aging Parents: An Expert Guide to Easing the Financial and Emotional StrainEarly conversations, financial planning and understanding the progression of care needs can help to mitigate stress and protect family relationships.
-
Dow Adds 238 Points as UNH, CAT Pop: Stock Market TodayThe lack of a September jobs report didn't seem to worry market participants, with the data delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: The OBBB Is a Reminder for Older People to Have a Long-Term PlanThe new tax bill presents a good opportunity for retirees to revisit tax plans, look into doing some Roth conversions and consider plans for long-term care.
