This Week: Producer prices, retail sales, Walmart earns

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week:

INFLATION BAROMETER

The Labor Department delivers its monthly index of U.S. wholesale prices Tuesday.

Economists expect the producer price index, which measures price pressures before they reach consumers, rose 0.5% last month after rising 0.2% in December. In a further sign of ongoing inflationary pressures, inflation at the wholesale level surged 9.7% at an annual rate in December, the highest since records began in 2010.

Producer price index, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:

Aug. 0.9

Sept. 0.4

Oct. 0.7

Nov. 1.0

Dec. 0.2

Jan. (est.) 0.5

Source: FactSet

SIZING UP RETAIL SALES

The Commerce Department issues its January tally of U.S. retail sales Wednesday.

Economists predict sales at restaurants, shops and other retailers rose 2% last month after falling a seasonally adjusted 1.9% in December. The end-of-year drop came as spending fell broadly across numerous sectors, including department stores, restaurants and online purchases.

Retail sales, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:

Aug. 1.2

Sept. 0.7

Oct. 1.8

Nov. 0.2

Dec. -1.9

Jan. (est.) 2.0

Source: FactSet

EYE ON WALMART

Walmart serves up its latest quarterly report card Thursday.

Analysts predict the world’s largest retailer will report that its fourth-quarter earnings increased from a year earlier, while its revenue declined slightly. The company posted improved earnings and revenue in the previous three quarters. Walmart has been able to leverage its scale to manage rising costs and global supply chain disruptions.