Jay Woods , who has spent more than three decades on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, discusses what the pros are watching in the markets this week. From a big-picture standpoint, Woods will be watching Friday’s consumer price index report, delayed a week by the government shutdown but still a closely watched economic and policy data point. Woods sees any annual inflation rate running higher than the 3.1% consensus as having the potential to “change the narrative” for the Federal Reserve, which is expected to announce a quarter percentage point rate cut at next week’s meeting. Outside of that, the chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets will be watching: Big defense stocks that will be reporting earnings Friday. As sector play, he is looking at the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF to gauge the sector’s performance. On Wednesday, electric vehicle maker Tesla reports earnings, and Woods says $450 will be an important level to watch for the stock. NextEra Energy Energy is an under-the-radar play that has been trailing the broader utilities sector and could be due for a breakout. ( Learn the best 2026 strategies from inside the NYSE with Josh Brown and others at CNBC PRO Live. Tickets and info here . )
