Coming Week: All About Consumers

The specter of inflation may be lurking on the horizon for U.S. markets once again.

Investors will be focused on the prospects for recession, recovery and more rate cuts this week, but price increases might be coming back onto the radar screen amid dollar weakness, high commodity prices and a low-interest-rate environment.

The consumer-price index for January will be released on Wednesday of the holiday-shortened upcoming week, giving an updated window onto the cost increases being absorbed by Americans.

"If the CPI comes out and it's big, that could have an impact," says James Paulsen, chief investment strategist at Wells Capital Management. "The bond market is already struggling with growing evidence that there's inflation." ...