US stocks were in a holding pattern on Tuesday after a pullback from all-time highs, with retail earnings on tap to occupy investors counting down to a crucial inflation report.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell about 0.5%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) slipped more than 0.1% in the wake of a retreat from record levels. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gave up earlier gains to trade flat by the afternoon.
Stocks have lost momentum as investors regroup after the tumultuous run-up last week and as focus sharpens on the health of the US economy. Looming over investors is the PCE index report due Thursday, a key inflation input into the Federal Reserve’s rate-setting decisions.
Read more: What the Fed rate decision means for bank accounts, CDs, loans, and credit cards
Given the market’s preoccupation with the timing of a rate cut, the PCE print is seen as a potential catalyst for stocks…
