As earnings season nears its close, investors this week will be watching for results from companies like retailer Target (TGT) and comments from 澳洲幸运5꧋官方开奖结果体彩网:Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell at the Jackson Hole symposium on Friday for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:clues on its rate-cut path. U.S. stock futures today are little changed after notching 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:their best week of 2024 following reassuring data on inflation and the economy; Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is expected to post an increase in quarterly sales and profit when it reports results after the bell; Japan's Seven & i, which operates the 7-Eleven chain, is assessing a takeover bid by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard; gold prices come off record highs; and investors will be monitoring shares of business software maker Atlassian (TEAM), which surged last week. Here's what 𝕴investors need to know today.

1. US Stock Futures Little Changed After Last Week's Rally

U.S. stock futures are little changed after major stock indexes closed higher Friday to complete their 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:best week of 2024. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Soft inflation convinced many investors that the Fed could start cutting interest rates 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:next month, while 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:strong retail sales reassured investors that the economy isn't heading for a drastic slowdown and so any easing wouldn't be very aggressive. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed higher for a seventh consecutive trading session on Friday, breaking a streak of four straight weekly losses, while the Dow also ended the week up. Last week's performance marks an about-face for markets after a dramatic rout the prior week that was triggered by fears of a U.S. slowdown and the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:unwinding of the yen carry trade. 

2. Palo Alto Networks  Expected to Report 💯Rising Q4 Results After Bell

Palo Alto Networks (PANW) is expected to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:post higher revenue and profit when the cybersecurity firm releases fourth-quarter results after the market close, as well as a strong fiscal 2025 outlook and updates on its "platformization" strategy. Analysts project revenue to grow to $2.16 billion from $1.95 billion a year ago, and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:earnings per share (EPS) to tick higher to 66 cents from 64 cents. While Palo Alto Networks has 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:indicated that its efforts to become a one-stop shop and offset spending fatigue been positively received by customers, the recent 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:global outage caused by a faulty 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:CrowdStrike (CRWD) update could raise questions about the outlook for the market. Palo Alto Networks shares are little changed in premarket trading.

3. 7-Eleven Operat🅰or ♔Considers Takeover by Circle K Owner

Japan's Seven & i, which operates the 7-Eleven chain, is mulling a takeover by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard, owner of the Circle K convenience store brand. Seven & i said Monday it has set up a special committee of independent outside directors to consider the offer. It said it would "conduct a prompt, careful and comprehensive review of the proposal." The news sent Seven & i shares surging in Tokyo trading, closing about 23% higher.

4. Gold Prices Come Off Record Highs

Gold (GOLD) prices are dipping slightly from new record highs, as investors look to a hedge amid geopolitical instability and an uncertain economy ahead of an expected interest-rate cut by the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Federal Reserve in September. The prospect of lower interest rates is potentially making the precious metal more attractive relative to other assets, while investors are also seeking a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:safe haven amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Chinese investors, who are steering clear stocks and real estate as their economy struggles, have also been driving gains this year. Spot gold climbed to a high of $2,508.14 per ounce at its last session, and analysts cited by CNBC say it could go to $3,000 as the Fed's September meeting nears.

5. Atlassian Stock in Focus After Surge Cuts Into Year's Losses

Shares of collaboration software maker Atlassian (TEAM) are in focus after surging last week by 9%. Still, the company's shares are down more than 35% on the year, with the price plumbing a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:52-week low earlier this month after the company issued a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:soft revenue outlook and announced the departure of Chief Sales Officer Kevin Egan. Atlassian shares are little changed in premarket trading.