Equity markets bounced back on Thursday following Wednesday?s slide. The onslaught of earnings reports continues to be better than expected and is lifting investor sentiment. While inflation is a big part of the story, margins are holding up and earnings remain strong. So long as this scenario remains intact the S&P 500 should continue to move higher but there is a risk. The PCE index is going to be released today and could put an end to investor euphoria.

Rising prices and inflation are already cutting into the volume of business done by retail companies, if the PCE indicates hotter than expected inflation the outlook for future sales and earnings will sour.
Next week, the deluge of earnings reports will continue with the addition of some key economic releases as well. The Nonfarm payrolls report is due out on Friday and there are a host of other important releases due out during the week.