Equity markets tried to rebound on Friday, but the action was more mixed than not. Investors are scooping bargains where they find them, but this will not lead to a sustained uptrend. The outlook for earnings continues to deteriorate, and that is a weight the market can not bear. The risk now is not just that S&P 500 stocks will move down to retest 2022's low but might move lower.

Next week will be a market-mover for sure. Not only is it a big week for earnings, but the CPI data is also due. The CPI is expected to show further cooling but, again, not enough to keep the FOMC from hiking interest rates at least 2 or 3 more times. The risk here is that consumer-level inflation will run flat or even accelerate from the previous month and confirm the need for more aggressive action from the Fed.