have fallen for two straight weeks. A flurry of data that will hint at the health of the economy — along with debt ceiling talks in Washington — will help to determine if stocks can break the losing streak. A survey that tracks manufacturing sentiment in New York will hit Monday, followed by retail sales Tuesday and weekly initial jobless claims Thursday. Earnings from Home Depot, Target and Walmart will paint a picture of how consumers are spending.
A string of remarks from regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents will also offer a window into whether the central bank plans to suspend interest rate hikes.The window for the U.S. to avoid a debt default is shrinking. Congress and the White House now have as few as 2½ weeks to break an impasse and avoid a calamity that would upend the economy and jeopardize government benefits.