Market Recap Week of 8/10/2026 to 8/14/2026
The S&P 500 edged 0.4% higher last week as cooler-than-expected inflation and a surprise drop in retail sales increased expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged in September.


The S&P 500 edged 0.4% higher last week as cooler-than-expected inflation and a surprise drop in retail sales increased expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged in September.

Inflation rose to its highest level in three years as energy prices surged, raising new questions about interest rates, the Federal Reserve, and the path forward for investors.

The S&P 500 declined last week as financials and communication services weighed on markets, pushing the index slightly negative for the year.

U.S. inflation ended the year slightly cooler than expected. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in December, putting annual inflation at 2.7%, while core inflation came in just below forecasts — a key data point for the Federal Reserve.

Inflation is still rising, but slower than expected. September’s report offers relief for investors, retirees, and anyone planning their finances. Learn what it means for markets, interest rates, and Social Security.

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? You’re not alone. Inflation jumped 0.5% in January, making rate cuts from the Fed even less likely.

Inflation perked up 0.2% in October, though pretty much in line with Wall Street expectations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s Consumer Price Index released Wednesday.

Inflation in August declined to its lowest level since February 2021 while core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, was higher than expected.
