Inflation report, consumer sentiment, Constellation Brands: 3 things to watch

© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Stocks were mixed heading into the last half hour of trading on Thursday as investors looked to the release of the latest inflation report on Friday.

Analysts expect the core personal consumption expenditures index to rise 4.6% for the year and 0.5% for May. After better-than-expected economic data on jobs and housing this week, investors are hoping the inflation report finds reason to celebrate.

The Federal Reserve will be watching the report, which is its preferred inflation gauge, as it prepares to meet next month to decide the next step on interest rates. Already the futures markets are betting on the probability that rates will rise another quarter of a percentage point. Chair Jerome Powell has indicated more rate hikes could come this year as the central bank battles inflation, which continues to run at more than twice its target of 2%.

Powell said this week that getting to 2% might not be feasible this year or even next year.

After the Fourth of July holiday, companies will start another wave of earnings reports, including the big banks. The 23 biggest passed the Fed's stress tests this week, and could start announcing their capital plans by the end of Friday.

Here are three things that could affect markets tomorrow:

1. Income and spending

Along with the PCE come data on personal income and spending at 8:30 ET (12:30 GMT). Personal income is seen rising 0.3% for the month, while personal spending is seen rising 0.2%.

2. Consumer sentiment

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment for June is expected at 10:00 ET. Analysts expect a reading of 63.9, which would be up from 59.2 earlier.

3. Constellation Brands

The spirits and brewing giant Constellation Brands Inc Class A (NYSE:STZ) is expected to report earnings per share of $2.83 on revenue of $2.47 billion.