Smart Finance APP noticed that in the last trading week of this month, this quarter, and the first half of 2024, investors will face crucial inflation data, sporadic corporate earnings, and another period of market consensus-breaking described in superlatives.On Friday, investors will see the data for the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index for May, which is the inflation measure favored by the Federal Reserve. The index is expected to show a 0.1% month-on-month increase in prices on a &#34;core&#34; basis (excluding food and energy), the slowest monthly gain since November last year.On an annualized basis, the core PCE inflation rate is expected to rise by 2.6%, the lowest level since March 2021.Earlier this month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a continued cooling of inflation, supporting investors' bets that the Fed will cut interest rates later this year. The Fed's projections released on June 12th indicate that the central bank expects to cut rates at least once in 2024.Earnings reports this week will remain calm, with FedEx (FDX.US) on Tuesday, Micron (MU.US) on Wednesday, and Nike (NKE.US) on Thursday being the highlights.Micron's report will be closely watched for signs of how strong the demand is for its entire product portfolio in artificial intelligence. Nike's report comes at a critical moment for the retailer. The company's stock has fallen 11% this year as it struggles to fend off competition in the core athletic shoe market from Adidas and relative newcomers like On Holding (ONON.US) and Deckers Outdoor's Hoka brand.Outside of market trading hours, some investors' attention may also be focused on the presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump on Thursday night, the first of two scheduled debates between the two presumed candidates.AI Continues to Outperform the MarketLast year, AI trading dominated the market. The S&amp;P 500 rose over 22%, and the Nasdaq rose nearly 40%.Entering 2024, one of Wall Street's most popular views is that this rally will broaden, bringing in lagging industries that were overlooked in last year's &#34;AI Everything&#34; surge.However, in the first few months of 2024, the situation has hardly changed.The performance gap between the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq has narrowed - the S&amp;P 500 is up over 14% this year, while the Nasdaq is up over 17% - but the Dow Jones Industrial Average is still lagging, up only 3.8% year-to-date.Meanwhile, companies related to AI such as NVIDIA (NVDA.US), Super Micro Computer (SMCI.US), Broadcom (AVGO.US), and the aforementioned Micron have been among the best-performing companies in the S&amp;P 500 so far this year. Energy companies related to AI like Vistra (VST.US) and Constellation (CEG.US) have also been among the top performers in the index this yearJohn Stoltzfus, Chief Investment Strategist at Oppenheimer Asset Management, wrote: &#34;The rebound in the first half of this year demonstrates the value of 'staying the course.'&#34;&#34;In our view, the sharp reversal in bond yields towards the end of 2023 and the subsequent market rebound highlight the importance of investor patience and sticking to diversified investment portfolio allocations. Despite signs of an economic slowdown, the stock market continued to rise in the second quarter. The rebound in the stock market from the fourth quarter of last year has persisted into the first half of this year, underscoring the necessity of maintaining investments.&#34;

In the last trading week of the first half of the year, investors will focus on inflation data and sporadic corporate performance. The highlights of this week's financial reports are FedEx, Micron Tech, and Nike. Micron Tech's report will focus on artificial intelligence demand, while Nike faces competitive pressure. In addition, the presidential debates between Biden and Trump will also attract investor attention. In 2024, artificial intelligence trading will continue to strengthen

The article conveys the following key points:
1. In the final trading week of this month, quarter, and the first half of 2024, investors will focus on crucial inflation data, sporadic corporate earnings, and a period where the market consensus is being challenged.
2. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index for May, a preferred inflation measure by the Fed, is expected to show a 0.1% month-on-month increase in prices on a "core" basis (excluding food and energy), the slowest since November last year. The annual core PCE inflation rate is projected to rise by 2.6%, the lowest since March 2021, supporting expectations of a Fed rate cut later this year.
3. Recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) data indicated cooling inflation, reinforcing investor bets on a Fed rate cut. The Fed's June 12 forecast suggests at least one rate cut by 2024.
4. Key earnings reports this week include FedEx (FDX.US) on Tuesday, Micron (MU.US) on Wednesday, and Nike (NKE.US) on Thursday. Micron's report will be closely watched for signs of strong demand for its product portfolio in artificial intelligence.
5. Nike faces competitive pressures in the sportswear market and will release its report amid a crucial period, with its stock down 11% this year.
6. Investors may also focus on the presidential debate between Biden and Trump scheduled for Thursday night.
7. AI continues to outperform the market, with the S&P 500 up over 22% and the Nasdaq up nearly 40% last year. The prevailing view is that the current rally will expand to include lagging industries overlooked in the "AI Everything" surge.
8. Despite a narrowing performance gap between the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices in 2024, the Dow Jones lags, up only 3.8% year-to-date.

Zhitong

FedEx

Nike

Micron Tech

What are the highlights of the last trading week of the first half of the year? The inflation data most closely watched by the Federal Reserve is about to strike