Equities: The S&P 500 rallied out of the gate but relinquished much of those advances as a downtick in consumer sentiment hit a half-year nadir, notably as inflation expectations hardened at an ascension of 3.5% over the forthcoming annum, marking a semiannual peak. U.S. equities could be bracing for stronger gusts of resistance on the horizon, with the New York Fed's report on household debt and credit poised to potentially sway market sentiment, complemented by a scrutinized unveil of Walmart's financial performance. The persistent buoyancy of the American consumer has been a linchpin of stateside market ... (full story)