U.S. stocks advanced Monday to begin an important week that could provide key signals for the near-term path of interest rates.
The S&P 500 (GSPC) rose 0.1% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) climbed 0.3%, with both indexes managing to set new records. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) erased the previous session’s gains to decline 0.1%.
The S&P and Nasdaq broke Friday’s record highs set in the wake of the jobs report, which signaled a continued slowdown in the labor market. That prompted a flood of bets that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September. About 3 in 4 traders expect a cut in September, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool.
This week’s events could reinforce that growing momentum for rate cuts. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to appear before Congress for semiannual testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then comes the latest consumer price index number, which is scheduled to be released on Thursday. Economists expect headline inflation to have risen 3.1% over the past year, matching the lows the CPI reached earlier this year.
On the corporate front, Boeing (BA) pleaded guilty to a criminal conspiracy charge in connection with two fatal 737 Max crashes. Shares rose less than 1%.
Meanwhile, Tesla (TSLA) shares erased early losses to turn positive as the electric vehicle giant recorded its ninth straight day of gains. The stock closed up 0.5%.
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