the story talks about the stock market going up a little bit and people are worried because there is a lot of important news coming out soon. But a smart person says that it's a good time to keep investing in the market because it will probably keep going up. This smart person is like a teacher who tells you that it's okay to keep doing your homework even if you are worried about a big test coming up. Read from source...

No.

### BENZINGA:
U.S. stocks are on track for a modestly higher start on Thursday, with the S&P 500 looking to extend the winning streak to six sessions. The ultimate trading direction of the day could hinge on a slew of key data, due for the day, pertaining to the job market, consumer spending and manufacturing activity as well as retail earnings. Most of these have relevance for growth at a time when pricing pressure has eased.

Fund manager Louis Navellier said the July retail sales report along with Walmart, Inc. WMT should offer clues regarding the health of the consumer. These catalysts are all the more important, given concerns expressed by companies over the health of consumers on their earnings calls as well as the higher credit card balances and rising delinquency rates.

Walmart shares rose over 6% in premarket following its quarterly beat and an upward revision to full-year guidance.

FuturesPerformance (+/-)Nasdaq 100+0.07%S&P 500+0.04%Dow+0.18%R2K-0.5%In premarket trading on Thursday, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY added 0.12% to $544.38, and the Invesco QQQ ETF QQQ rose 0.19% to $463.61, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Wall Street closed Wednesday’s session higher, although trading sentiment remained lackluster for much of the day following the July consumer price inflation that came in line with expectations.

The major averages opened higher but turned lower immediately after, but the Dow Industrials and the S&P 500 Index recovered and traded mostly higher for the remainder of the session. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was confined in negative territory for the bulk of the session and yet ended marginally higher.

All three averages are now at their highest levels in about two weeks.

IndexPerformance (+/)-ValueNasdaq Composite+0.03%17,192.60S&P 500 Index+0.38%5,455.21Dow Industrials+0.61%40,008.39Russell 2000+0.52%2,084.32

Insights From Analysts:
The recent equity market pullback should not be a deterrent for investors, according to a market strategist. “Despite the negative market action, we don't believe that there's a reason for equity investors to exercise significant caution,” said Eric Freedman, chief investment officer for U.S. Bank Wealth Management, in a note released on Aug. 8.

“We still think it's a great time to be invested and for those with money in cash, it represents an opportunity to put capital to work in longer-term assets,” he said.

Navellier said in a note to clients that he expects the market recovery to continue, as any weakness in economic data only increases the odds

neutral
#### Brief summary:
A slew of key data and retail earnings could influence the S&P 500's attempt at a sixth straight session of gains. Investors are cautious ahead of the data deluge, but an analyst says there's no reason for equity investors to exercise significant caution.
#### Key Points:
- U.S. stocks are set for a modestly higher start on Thursday.
- The S&P 500 is looking to extend its winning streak to six sessions.
- Retail earnings and key economic data are due for release.
- Walmart shares rose over 6% following its quarterly beat and an upward revision to full-year guidance.
#### Related Stocks:
- GOOGL
- WMT
- QQQ
- SPY

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