Equity markets treaded water on Wednesday while traders digested Tuesday's gains. The question on everyone's minds is whether the summer rally will continue or not, and it may be answered on Friday. The May read of the PCE price index is due out and is not expected to give the FOMC much reprieve. The risk for investors is that the market won't heed the message given by the FOMC and continue to rally despite hot inflation. In that scenario, the top of the market may be reached when the FOMC hikes rates again later this year.

The earnings news is less than robust. The latest from General Mills echoes news from Walgreens Boots Alliance in that cautious consumer habits are weighing on the outlook. In the case of General Mills, price hikes continue to offset weak volume and produce growth, but that situation can not last forever, and discretionary names are suffering for it. Nike is scheduled to report after the close of trading today and may shed more light on the matter.