Key Highlights in the U.S. Market Today: PPI and Retail Sales Data Take the Lead

⑴ The US September Producer Price Index and retail sales data will be released at 20:30 Beijing time. The market expects the overall Producer Price Index to rise by about 0.5% month-on-month, and the core index to rise by about 0.3% month-on-month. ⑵ At the same time, initial and continuing jobless claims will also be announced, with the market expecting initial claims to be around 200,000. ⑶ Retail sales are expected to increase by about 0.3% month-on-month; strong data may show consumer demand remains resilient, while weaker-than-expected data may trigger concerns about growth. ⑷ If producer inflation is hotter than expected, it could strengthen expectations of further tightening by the Federal Reserve. ⑸ Before the US stock market opens, a number of semiconductor and banking institutions will announce their earnings reports; the market is focused on artificial intelligence chip demand, bank loan quality, and trading income performance. ⑹ At 24:00 Beijing time, the US Energy Information Administration will announce crude oil, gasoline, and distillate inventory data. Given concerns over Middle Eastern supply, inventory changes merit close attention. ⑺ Federal Reserve officials Goolsbee, Harker, and Chair Walsh will deliver speeches or participate in events at 22:00, 4:30, and 11:30 Beijing time, respectively. ⑻ The market will look for signals on further rate hikes; the Federal Open Market Committee meeting from October 27 to 28 is a critical milestone. ⑼ Overall, inflation data, consumer spending, and Federal Reserve policy expectations are today’s main focus. Market sentiment may fluctuate depending on the data’s strength, and further attention is needed on the direction of US Treasury yields and the impact of the Middle East situation on oil prices.