Today’s post comes from Anu Gaggar of Commonwealth’s Investment Research team. Take it away, Anu! —Brad

Last week’s data was all about prices and whether inflation is picking up. It doesn’t seem to be, in any significant way. This week, we'll see a wide range of data, including housing reports and retail sales.

To end the week, I have a couple of quick takes on some hot topics from the financial news. Let’s start with inflation.

I am reasonably convinced that the economy remains solid—although my conviction is softening (see yesterday’s Economic Risk Factor Update)—and that the market is more likely headed higher than lower through the end of the year. But there have been an increasing number of events that, while not really quantifiable, are making me go hmm. So, in the interest of giving some time to anecdotal data and not just the quantifiable stuff, here we go with some economic signs and portents.

Last week was a busy one for economic news, from consumer confidence to the employment report. This week’s data will be all about prices—and whether inflation is picking up.

Last week gave us a look at a wide range of data, starting with housing. This week will be just as busy, concluding with an always important look at employment.

Once again, today we find ourselves with no single overarching story. But there are a couple of quick hits from the financial news worth noting. Let’s start with the headlines—literally.

Last week was a busy one for economic news, with wide-ranging reports including retail sales, industrial production, and manufacturing. We also got testimony before Congress from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, which shed some light on how the Fed is likely to react to rising inflation. This week, we will also cover a lot of data, starting with housing.

We are nearing the end of the regular semiannual testimony by the chair of the Fed, Jerome Powell, in front of Congress. Yesterday, he spoke to the Senate and today he is speaking to the House. As the most influential economic official in the world, what Powell says carries real weight.

Last week’s data was primarily about prices, although we closed with a look at consumer confidence. The week ahead will be a busy one for economic news, with wide-ranging reports. We’ll also get testimony before Congress from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, which should shed some light on how the Fed is likely to react to rising inflation.