Walmart stock plummets amid weak guidance announcement

In the United States, Walmart faced significant stock declines over a two-day period as the company announced weak future guidance. On Thursday, the stock fell by 6.5%, and on Friday, another decline of 2.5% was reported. This downward trend reflects ongoing concerns among investors about Walmart's performance amidst changing market conditions and consumer behavior. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve had previously cut interest rates three times in the past year, signaling potential changes in monetary policy in response to economic indicators. Investors are particularly watchful of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index scheduled for release, as the Fed often uses this data when considering rate adjustments. The expected January PCE is set to show a 0.3% month-over-month rise and a 2.5% annual increase, which could influence future rate-cut projections and market reactions. In the earnings landscape, Coterra Energy is beginning a busy week of reports, with the market also anticipating results from major players like Salesforce and Nvidia, which are expected to reveal important insights into business performance and future projections. With Home Depot projected to show declining fourth-quarter comparable sales, investors are evaluating overall retail performance in light of changing economic conditions. The upcoming earnings calls and economic indicators will be critical for informing investor decisions and expectations over the coming weeks.