Wall Street Anticipates Earnings Amid Geopolitical and Economic Shifts

U.S. stock index futures experienced fluctuations on Monday as investors paused after a notable rally. Their focus shifted towards imminent earnings reports from major retailers and the annual central bank conference in Jackson Hole later this week.

Amidst economic deliberations, geopolitical affairs took center stage. Donald Trump is set to meet Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders to outline a potential peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. This comes after the U.S. President's inconclusive summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin last week. Wall Street's indices have seen strong rallies in recent weeks, propelled by potential interest rate cuts and surprisingly positive earnings, despite ongoing trade tensions.

Investors are particularly keen on reports from Walmart, Home Depot, and Target, looking to gauge the impact of trade and inflation uncertainties on consumer behavior. Although retail sales data showed growth, consumer sentiment continues to be affected by inflation concerns. The Federal Reserve's upcoming conference in Jackson Hole is expected to provide further insight into the economic outlook and potential policy adjustments.

(With inputs from agencies.)