Walmart earnings, spending data, and more AI disruptions: What to watch this week

Market Overview - AI turbulence has significantly impacted various sectors, including software, real estate, financial services, and logistics, leading to selling pressure on stocks due to concerns over AI-related disruptions [1] - The Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.2% on Friday, concluding the week with a total loss of 2.1%, while the S&P 500 saw a minor gain of less than 0.1% but ended the week down 1.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.1% on Friday but recorded a weekly decline of 1.2% [2] Sector-Specific Insights - The market experienced sharp movements beneath the surface, with investors closely monitoring whether the disruptions caused by AI will persist in the upcoming week [3] - A notable sell-off began in early February, affecting software companies like Salesforce and ServiceNow, and has since spread to financial services and logistics sectors, with stocks declining on any indication that AI tools may disrupt their core operations [7] Upcoming Economic Data - The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, scheduled for release on Friday, will provide insights into consumer spending during December and inflation trends, following last week's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data that indicated a greater-than-expected slowdown in inflation [4] - The University of Michigan's market sentiment reading, also due on Friday, will gauge consumer attitudes against actual spending data, with the measure recently reaching its highest level since August but still lower than the previous year [5] Corporate Earnings Focus - Attention will be on Walmart's fourth-quarter earnings release on Thursday, which is expected to be a strong indicator of consumer spending and will mark the first report under new CEO John Furner [5] - Other significant earnings reports include those from DoorDash and Molson Coors, as well as energy companies like Constellation Energy, Energy Transfer, and Southern Company, which will provide insights into how AI is influencing power demand in the energy sector [6] AI Impact on Logistics - A recent press release from a karaoke machine maker about an AI-powered logistics platform that claims to increase freight volumes by 300% to 400% without a proportional rise in operational headcount led to significant stock declines for CH Robinson Worldwide and Universal Logistics, which fell by 12% and 10% respectively for the week [8]