The Week Ahead
August 24, 2026
Economic news
Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium August 27th-29th
The Jackson Hole Economy Policy Symposium is where some of the top minds in economics meet to discuss a range of topics1. This event has been occurring since the 1970’s and draws central bankers, journalists, financial industry leaders as well as government officials. For this year’s symposium, the topic is “Financial Innovation Implications for Payments and Policy.”
U.S. GDP Growth Rate August 26th
Quarterly GDP growth estimates give us the best insight into the current state of the economy. The quarterly results come out in estimates, and second estimates for the second quarter come out August 26th. First results said that the US economy grew at an annualized rate of 1.5%, slower than the 2.1% seen in the first quarter2. According to tradingeconomics.com, the consensus is the rate will remain 1.5% for the second estimate.
At a time when significant focus is being put on economic conditions, it will be interesting to see whether estimates rise or fall for gross domestic product in the U.S.
Earnings Related Market Movers
Dick’s Sporting Goods August 25th
DICK’S Sporting Goods heads into its upcoming earnings report with a strong first-quarter performance providing an encouraging backdrop for investors. In the first quarter, which ended May 2, 2026, the company generated $5.16 billion in consolidated sales, up 62.7% year over year, reflecting the addition of Foot Locker, while net income increased 21% to $320 million. DICK’S core business remained the key bright spot, delivering a 6.0% comparable-sales increase on top of 4.5% growth a year earlier. The Foot Locker business also showed early signs of progress, returning to positive comparable-sales growth on a pro forma basis and producing $17.5 million of segment profit.
The Q1 results also give investors a useful framework for evaluating the company’s outlook in the upcoming report. Management raised the low end of its full-year comparable-sales guidance both for the DICK’S business from 2.0% to 2.5%, and for Foot Locker from 1.0% to 1.5%.
For the upcoming earnings report, investors will therefore be watching whether the core DICK’S business can sustain its momentum, whether Foot Locker’s turnaround continues to produce measurable improvement, and whether management’s full-year guidance remains achievable as the company moves through the back-to-school and holiday seasons.
NVIDIA August 26th
NVIDIA started off the year strong with record setting revenues of $81.6 billion; an 85% increase year over year, and a 21% increase from the fourth quarter3. This was mainly driven by $75.2 billion in data center revenue. Given the continued demand for data centers, this area of the business stands to continue to benefit. For investors, the even more exciting statistic might be the company’s increased earnings. NVIDIA reported diluted earnings of $2.39 per share, a 214% increase year over year.
Looking ahead, expectations seemed positive for the second quarter. In the company’s first quarter press release, NVIDIA expected revenues to reach $91 billion in the second quarter, “plus or minus 2%”. Analyst estimates for earnings in the fiscal second quarter are averaging around $2.09 according to Marketwatch4. Investors will be looking to see if this expectation holds true.
Best Buy August 27th
Best Buy has had a tough run of it over the last few years with revenues peaking in fiscal 2022 before gradually declining. Fiscal 2026 was the first year that sales flattened out and gained 0.39%5. That trend managed to continue in the first quarter of fiscal 2027 where enterprise revenue increased 1.9% to $8.94 billion. The stock is up 28% this year as Best Buy reiterated full-year guidance, with expectations of revenues between $41.2 billion and $42.1 billion6.
Despite the relatively slow growth, Best Buy has a redeeming dividend of 4.3%, and trades at around 16.5 times trailing earnings. The question is whether that’s enough to maintain the rally that the stock has had over the last six months if top-line growth remains slow.
1 https://www.kansascityfed.org/research/jackson-hole-economic-symposium/about-jackson-hole-economic-symposium/
2 https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/gdp-growth
3 https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-financial-results-for-first-quarter-fiscal-2027
4 https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/nvda/analystestimates?mod=mw_quote_tab
5 https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/bby/financials/income
6 https://s204.q4cdn.com/864376893/files/doc_earnings/2027/q1/earnings-result/Best-Buy-Reports-Fiscal-First-Quarter-2027-Results.pdf
Financial Planning and Advisory Services offered through Vicus Capital, Inc., a federally Registered Investment Advisor.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate the risk of loss.
Opinions and estimates offered constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice, as are statements of financial market trends, which are based on current market conditions. Information and data referred to in this document has been compiled solely by Vicus Capital, Inc., from various sources and has not been independently verified. We believe the information presented here to be reliable, but do not warrant its accuracy or completeness. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. The views and strategies described may not be suitable for all investors. The material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, nor should it be relied upon for, accounting, legal, or tax advice. References to future returns are not promises or estimates of actual returns a client portfolio may achieve. Any forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be relied upon as advice or interpreted as a recommendation.
The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. International investing involves a greater degree of risk and increased volatility. There is no guarantee that companies that can issue dividends will declare, continue to pay, or increase dividends. Investments in commodities may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly if the instruments involve leverage.
