Wall Street Week Ahead: Investors Focus on Data, Elections, and Earnings

NEW YORK: A surge in U.S. stocks will face a storm of economic data, looming political uncertainty and a test of corporate earnings in the coming weeks as investors navigate one of the most volatile periods of the year for stock markets.

The S&P 500 hit its first closing high in two months this week after the Federal Reserve announced a significant 50 basis point interest rate cut, kicking off the first round of U.S. monetary easing since 2020.