U.S. economic indicators this week presented a mixed picture. The S&P 500 advanced roughly 2%, hitting new all-time highs, driven by strong Q2 earnings results.

Notably, UnitedHealth shares surged 11.5% following news of a significant investment by Berkshire Hathaway. On the inflation front, the Producer Price Index (PPI) jumped 0.9% in July, marking the steepest monthly gain in three years. However, consumer inflation remained stable at 2.7% year-over-year for July, which helped temper expectations for an aggressive rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September. Additionally, a 90-day U.S.–China tariff truce eased trade concerns and supported market momentum.

Looking ahead, next week’s U.S. economic calendar includes key housing and labor market data that could shape market expectations around future Federal Reserve actions. The highlight will be the central bank’s annual Jackson Hole symposium, where investors will look for rate-policy guidance from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Continued Q2 earnings releases, including from firms such as Palo Alto Networks, will also be closely watched. In parallel, geopolitical developments tied to the U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska may inject added volatility into financial markets.

Given this economic backdrop, let us see how this impacts the performance of various investment strategies.