In the U.S., the Department of Labor is scheduled to release an array of data. Its producer price index (PPI) for final demand likely rose 0.3% in February, following a 0.4% increase in the month prior. Annually, the index likely gained 3.3%. Excluding food and energy components, the so- called core PPI is expected to gain 0.3% in February after rising at a similar pace in January. Year-on-year, the core PPI is expected to have eased to 3.5% in February from 3.6% in January. Separately, the department is expected to release its weekly jobless claims report as well, with initial jobless claims likely increasing to 225,000 for the week ended March 8 from 221,000 in the week before.
Continued jobless claims for the week ended March 1 are expected to have increased to 1.900 million from 1.897 million in the week before. Dollar General is expected to post a rise in fourth-quarter revenue, helped by demand at its stores for discounted groceries as well as non-essential items during the holiday shopping season. Investors will focus on comments on spending sentiment among its consumer base for the year, as well as the company's store remodel plans.
Ulta Beauty is expected to post a decline in fourth-quarter revenue, as demand for cosmetics and makeup remained tepid as consumers focus on spending on essentials in an uncertain economy burgeoned by inflation and tariffs. Investors will look out for comments regarding the company's efforts to mitigate the impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs and any holiday season boost to sales.
On the Latin American economic front, Peru's central bank is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate at 4.75% while announcing its monetary policy decision. Brazil's national statistics agency IBGE is expected to publish the country's service sector growth numbers. Services activity is forecasted to fall 0.1% in January after a 0.5% dip in December. On an annual basis, services activity likely grew 1.9%. Additionally, the country's outstanding loan figures for January is also on the radar.
