In Brief: Inflation data | Retail sales | Q1 earnings season results 05.11.2026

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, covers what to watch in the week ahead. U.S. equities pushed to fresh all‑time highs last week, with the S&P 500 now more than 15% above its late‑March lows. This move reflects more than geopolitics, as corporate earnings results—particularly for mega‑cap technology—continue to outperform expectations. Fresh economic data comes out next week, with April CPI, PPI, and retail sales data arriving alongside the final stretch of a blockbuster Q1 earnings season. Episode highlights Equities at record highs: The S&P 500 continues to reset highs with strong Q1 corporate earnings and margin growth Inflation in focus: Headline CPI expected near 3.7–3.8% YoY, with energy prices remaining elevated PPI insight: Key signal on whether producers are absorbing higher input costs or passing them through the supply chain Retail sales watch: High gasoline prices likely boost nominal spending, so a closer look at core categories is necessary Earnings momentum: About 83% of S&P 500 companies have beaten expectations so far for Q1