Data-heavy week and key analyst stock picks

The upcoming trading week is set to be driven by a series of key U.S. economic releases, led by July inflation data. The consumer price index is due on Wednesday, followed by the producer price index on Thursday. These two reports are highlighted as the primary market focus, with the CPI viewed as especially important because it reflects what consumers actually pay.

Beyond inflation, the July existing-home sales report and the July retail sales report are also scheduled. Between the two, retail sales is described as carrying more weight for markets, since it provides direct insight into where and how consumers are spending. Together, these releases create a compact but influential data calendar for investors monitoring growth and price pressures.

Existing-home sales for July will offer a snapshot of housing-market activity, an area closely watched for its sensitivity to interest rates and household confidence. While important, it is positioned as a secondary driver relative to inflation and retail spending data in shaping the week’s overall market narrative.

The July retail sales report is emphasized as a key gauge of consumer behavior. Because it tracks actual spending patterns, investors look to this release to assess the strength of demand across categories and to cross-check signals from the inflation reports. The combination of retail sales with CPI and PPI gives a more complete view of price dynamics and consumption.

On the corporate side, the week-ahead calendar flags Cardinal Health (CAH) as the lone Investing Club earnings release. Consensus estimates compiled by LSEG point to revenue of $65.03 billion and earnings per share of $2.42 for the company’s upcoming report. These figures set the benchmark against which investors are likely to judge the company’s performance.

The calendar of companies reporting before the opening bell also includes large-cap names such as Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B). While detailed estimates for these companies are not provided, their presence on the schedule contributes to a backdrop in which both macro data and select corporate results can influence sector moves.

Alongside the macro and earnings calendar, analysts are spotlighting several stocks for their growth potential. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) is cited with a reiterated buy rating from a Bank of America (BAC) analyst and a price target of $255. This underscores continued analyst confidence in the company within the current market environment.

Amazon (AMZN) features in the same analyst roundup, with a JPMorgan analyst reiterating a buy rating and setting a price target of $365. Lam Research (LRCX) is also highlighted, with an Oppenheimer analyst reaffirming a buy rating and a $400 price target. These three names form a concise list of growth-oriented ideas that some on Wall Street are emphasizing as the new data and earnings reports arrive.