The Week Ahead: Markets Watch PPI Inflation Signals, Goldman Sachs, Netflix Earnings

Market Overview

U.S. equities rebounded sharply last week as easing geopolitical tensions supported risk appetite. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 47,916.58, up +3.04%. The Nasdaq Composite gained +4.68% to 22,902.89, while the S&P 500 rose +3.56% to finish at 6,816.89.

The rally followed news of a ceasefire between the U.S., Iran, and Israel, which drove oil prices lower and reduced immediate market stress. Equity and bond markets responded with a strong relief move, retracing much of the prior selloff.

Despite the rebound, investors remain cautious. The ceasefire is temporary, with an April 21 deadline approaching. Ongoing tensions and limited progress on key issues continue to cap upside momentum.

Inflation remains a central concern. Recent data showed a sharp surge in CPI, driven by a spike in energy prices. Core PCE has also accelerated, with the three-month annualized rate moving above 4%, reinforcing concerns around persistent price pressures.

This week, focus shifts to inflation data, heavy Fed speaker activity, and key earnings from Goldman Sachs and Netflix, which could provide early signals on financial conditions and large-cap growth trends.

Economic Releases & Notable Earnings

Monday, Apr 13
Before the Open:
• Goldman Sachs (GS), est. $16.35
• Fastenal (FAST), est. $0.30
Economic Releases:
• 14:00 GMT – Existing Home Sales, forecast 4.07M (prior 4.09M)
After the Close:
• FB Financial (FBK), est. $1.10

Tuesday, Apr 14
Before the Open:
• Albertsons (ACI), est. $0.43
• BlackRock (BLK), est. $11.86
• CarMax (KMX), est. $0.20
• Citigroup (C), est. $2.63
• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), est. $2.68
• JPMorgan (JPM), est. $5.44
• Wells Fargo (WFC), est. $1.58
Economic Releases:
• 10:00 GMT – NFIB Index, forecast 98.6 (prior 98.8)
• 12:15 GMT – Core PPI m/m, forecast 0.5% (prior 0.5%)
• 12:15 GMT – PPI m/m, forecast 1.2% (prior 0.7%)
After the Close:
• No reports scheduled.

Wednesday, Apr 15
Before the Open:
• ASML (ASML), est. $7.71
• Bank of America (BAC), est. $1.01
• Morgan Stanley (MS), est. $3.02
Economic Releases:
• 12:30 GMT – Empire Manufacturing, forecast 0.6 (prior -0.2)
• 12:30 GMT – Import Prices m/m, forecast 0.8% (prior 1.3%)
• 14:00 GMT – NAHB Index, forecast 37 (prior 38)
• 14:30 GMT – Crude Oil Inventories, prior 3.1M
After the Close:
• J.B. Hunt (JBHT), est. $1.45

Thursday, Apr 16
Before the Open:
• PepsiCo (PEP), est. $1.54
• Taiwan Semi (TSM), est. $3.31
Economic Releases:
• 12:30 GMT – Jobless Claims, forecast 215K (prior 219K)
• 13:15 GMT – Industrial Production m/m, forecast 0.1% (prior 0.2%)
After the Close:
• Netflix (NFLX), est. $0.76
• Alcoa (AA), est. $1.43

Friday, Apr 17
Before the Open:
• Ally Financial (ALLY), est. $0.94
• State Street (STT), est. $2.62
Economic Releases:
• No releases scheduled
After the Close:
• No reports scheduled

Central Bank Activity

Monday: Miran (FOMC Member) – 22:20 GMT
Tuesday: Goolsbee (FOMC Member) – 16:15 GMT; Barr (Fed Vice Chair) – 16:45 GMT; Barkin (FOMC Member) – 17:00 GMT; Collins (FOMC Member) – 17:00 GMT; Paulson (FOMC Member) – 17:00 GMT
Wednesday: Barr (Fed Vice Chair) – Time TBA; Bowman (FOMC Member) – 17:45 GMT
Thursday: Williams (NY Fed President) – 12:35 GMT; Miran (FOMC Member) – 14:35 GMT
Friday: Daly (SF Fed President) – 15:30 GMT; Barkin (FOMC Member) – 16:15 GMT; Waller (Fed Governor) – 18:00 GMT

Heavy Fed communication may influence rate expectations as markets reassess inflation risks and the policy outlook following recent data.

Technical Outlook

Weekly Dow Jones Industrial Average Index

Dow Jones: 47,916.58 (+3.04%), support 45,821.21 (52-Week SMA), 45,057.28, 43,562.29, 41,921.97. Resistance at 47,785.04, 48,428.79, 50,512.79.

Weekly Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC)

Nasdaq: 22,902.89 (+4.68%), support at 22,748.03, 22,355.12, 21,621.54 (52-Week (SMA), 20,690.25, 19,402.01, 18,312.17. Resistance at 23,988.27, 24,019.99.

Weekly S&P 500 Index (SPX)

S&P 500: 6,816.89 (+3.56%), support at 6,740.00, 6,659.60, 6,486.79 (52-Week SMA), 6316.91, 5918.66, 5662.93. Resistance at 7002.28.

All major indices remain above rising 52-week SMAs, confirming an intact primary uptrend.

Outlook

Markets enter the week balancing geopolitical relief with persistent inflation concerns. The temporary ceasefire has reduced immediate risk, but the April 21 deadline remains a key near-term catalyst.

Inflation data, particularly PPI, will be closely watched following the sharp CPI increase. At the same time, a heavy slate of Fed speakers could influence expectations for rate cuts later this year. Earnings from Goldman Sachs and Netflix will be closely watched for insight into capital markets activity and large-cap growth demand.

Together, these catalysts are likely to determine whether the recent rebound can extend or stalls near resistance levels.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.