The Week Ahead: Big Bank Earnings, Inflation Data

• Big bank earnings reports are scheduled throughout the week, marking the start of Q1 2026 earnings season
• Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due Tuesday, Jan. 13, and Producer Price Index (PPI) data due Wednesday, Jan. 14, will provide key inflation insights
• Additional economic data includes retail sales, existing home sales, jobs data, and manufacturing surveys, alongside multiple Fed official speeches

Summary

Key Events:

The week of January 12-16, 2026, features the start of Q1 2026 earnings season, critical inflation data releases, and multiple Federal Reserve speeches that could impact market direction.

Earnings Season Kickoff:

Major banks lead corporate reporting, including Goldman Sachs (GS), Morgan Stanley (MS), and PNC (PNC). An unnamed company will report before Tuesday's open, January 13.

Economic Data Schedule:

• Tuesday, January 13: Consumer Price Index (CPI) and core CPI—key inflation indicators for Fed policy assessment. Also: new home sales, U.S. budget deficit, and NFIB optimism index.

• Wednesday, January 14: Producer Price Index (PPI) and core PPI, retail sales, existing home sales, business inventories, and the Federal Reserve's Beige Book economic assessment.

• Thursday, January 15: Weekly jobless claims, U.S. import prices, Empire State manufacturing survey, and Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey.

• Friday, January 16: Industrial production data.

Federal Reserve Activity:

Multiple speeches throughout the week from regional Fed presidents, including Tom Barkin (Richmond), Raphael Bostic (Atlanta), Alberto Musalem (St. Louis), John Williams (New York), and Neel Kashkari (Minneapolis). These communications may provide insights into future monetary policy direction.

Market Implications:

The convergence of inflation data and bank earnings creates significant market-moving potential. CPI/PPI readings will influence Fed rate expectations, while bank results may signal economic health and credit conditions. Traders should expect heightened volatility, particularly midweek when inflation data and major earnings coincide. The heavy Fed speaker schedule suggests ongoing focus on economic conditions and policy trajectory.