What to expect in the week ahead (DIS, RIVN, TSN, BNTX)

Second-quarter earnings season continues this week, while a pair of July inflation figures and consumer sentiment surveys will be the highlights on the economic-data calendar.

Economic data out this week will include the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for July on Wednesday. Economists are expecting a 0.2% rise in the headline index and a 0.5% increase in the core CPI last month.

Nielsen Holdings convenes a special shareholder meeting to seek approval to be acquired by a private-equity consortium led by Elliott Investment Management. The proposed deal values the TV-ratings firm at $16 billion, including debt.

The National Federation of Independent Business releases its Small Business Optimism Index for July. Consensus estimate is for a 89 reading, slightly less than June's 89.5, which is the lowest reading since early 2013. Small-business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months were at a net negative 61% in June, the lowest level recorded in the 48-year history of the survey.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports preliminary employee compensation and productivity data for the second quarter. Unit labor costs are expected to increase at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.7%, while productivity is seen declining 4.1%. This compares with a 12.6% jump and 7.3% decrease, respectively, in the first quarter.

The BLS releases the consumer price index for July. Economists forecast a 8.7% year-over-year rise, compared with a 9.1% jump in June. The core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is seen increasing 6.1%, versus a 5.9% gain previously. The 9.1% reading was the highest since 1981, while the core CPI is off slightly from the recent peak of 6.5% in March. The S&P 500 index jumped 9.1% in July, its best month since November 2020, in anticipation of a less hawkish Federal Reserve on the assumption that inflation has peaked.

The BLS releases the producer price index for July. Consensus estimate is for a 10.4% year-over-year increase, less than June's 11.3%. The core PPI, which excludes food and energy prices, is expected to rise 7.7%, down from 8.2%.

The University of Michigan releases its Consumer Sentiment Index for August. The consensus call is for a 53 reading, slightly more than July's 51.5. The index is near its record low, as inflation remains top of mind for consumers.