Big Week Ahead for the Stock Market: Nvidia, Walmart and Jobs Report
Investors will open the final full week of November focused primarily on a single question: can the artificial-intelligence trade continue to carry the stock market?
- Nvidia’s earnings this week will shape sentiment around the AI-driven stock rally.
- Walmart’s results will show how strong the US consumer is heading into year-end.
- The delayed September jobs report arrives Thursday after the shutdown backlog.
- Bitcoin’s drop below $95K added to risk-off sentiment across markets.
- Despite pullbacks, major indexes remain up sharply this year — especially tech.
The answer may come Wednesday evening, when Nvidia releases results. The company has become the most important gauge of whether big-ticket spending on AI hardware is accelerating or cooling heading into 2026.
Walmart’s report on Thursday morning will serve as the second test, but from the consumer side — showing whether US households are still spending consistently as inflation cools and borrowing costs remain high.
A Market That’s Strong on Paper, Shaky in Emotion
Major indexes aren’t signaling a crisis — but sentiment on the trading floor tells a more anxious story.
Despite a relatively stable finish last week, technology stocks saw heavy selling pressure mid-week before stabilizing. The Nasdaq fell 0.4%, the S&P 500 ended almost flat, and the Dow posted a small gain.
According to Truist Wealth CIO Keith Lerner, the market is behaving exactly as it does late in a mature rally: investors are nervous, but the underlying upward trend hasn’t been invalidated. He noted that stocks don’t rise in straight lines and that the recent pullbacks resemble normal corrections rather than the start of a downturn.
Government Shutdown Creates an Unusual Data Vacuum
The longest US government shutdown in history, which only ended late Wednesday, has left analysts assessing markets without key economic data. One missing piece — the September employment report — will finally be published this Thursday.
Whether it will be complete remains uncertain; White House officials signaled last week that some sections of the report may still be delayed.
The lack of hard data has made it difficult for both investors and Federal Reserve officials to calibrate expectations for a December interest-rate cut, which markets now view as a 50-50 probability.
The sense of investor unease was amplified late Friday when Bitcoin briefly dropped below $95,000, wiping out its 2025 gains before recovering. The decline deepened risk-off sentiment across speculative assets and became a talking point across trading desks into the weekend.
Retail Earnings Round Out the Week
Beyond Nvidia and Walmart, several well-known chains will also report results, giving investors a broader look at consumer health heading into the holiday period. Earnings are expected from:
- Home Depot
- Target
- Lowe’s
- Amer Sports
- Gap
In addition, two private-sector indicators — S&P Global’s manufacturing PMI and the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index — will arrive Friday, filling some of the gap left by delayed government statistics.
Bigger Picture
Year-to-date market gains remain substantial despite recent pullbacks. The S&P 500 is up nearly 40% since April, and the Nasdaq is ahead by more than 50%, driven largely by AI-linked stocks. Nvidia, AMD, and Micron have been among the strongest performers in that stretch.
Whether the rally continues — or fades into consolidation — may depend on how investors interpret this week’s earnings rather than the absence of economic data.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
