What to expect in the week ahead (ORCL, RIVN, JD, ULTA)

The moves came as investors continued monitoring developments in the war between Russia and Ukraine, which weighed heavily on sentiment despite positive U.S. economic data out Friday.

The week ahead in focus
There isn't much on the earnings calendar this week, but plenty of annual shareholder meetings and investor days will still keep investors busy.

The economic data highlight of the week will be Thursday's release of the consumer price index for February. Forecasters predict another month of rapid price increases in the U.S. economy: The consensus estimate is for a 7.8% year-over-year spike for the headline CPI and 6.3% for the core CPI.

A pair of sentiment surveys are also out this week: The National Federation of Independent Business releases its Small Business Optimism Index for February on Tuesday and the University of Michigan releases its Consumer Sentiment Survey for March on Friday.

The Federal Reserve reports consumer credit data for January. Total consumer debt is expected to rise $20 billion to a record $4.44 trillion. Following a slight decline in 2020, consumer credit increased 5.9% last year.

The National Federation of Independent Business releases its Small Business Optimism Index for February. Consensus estimate is for a 97.4 reading, roughly even with the January data. The net percentage of small-business owners raising selling prices reached the highest level since 1974 as they try to pass on higher materials costs and compensation to employees.

Campbell Soup, CrowdStrike Holdings, and Franco-Nevada report quarterly results.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Economists forecast 11.1 million job openings on the last business day of January, nearly 200,000 more than in December. If that estimate proves correct, it would match the record level of job openings from this past July and October.

The BLS reports the consumer price index for February. Consensus estimate is for a 7.8% year-over-year spike for the CPI, after a 7.5% increase in January. The core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, is expected to jump 6.3%, compared with 6% previously. The estimates for both indexes would surpass recent peaks and mark 40-year highs. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked a big jump in many commodities, including wheat and oil, so a relief from higher prices doesn't seem to be in the cards in the near future.

The University of Michigan releases its Consumer Sentiment Survey for March. Expectations are for a 64 reading, about one point higher than the February figure.