As President Trump’s Middle East trip continues, investors are refocusing on the basics with Walmart earnings, producer inflation, remarks from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell and a reported blockbuster retail merger.

Also on the market's radar is a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, where the focus will be on any hints he may give regarding the outlook for U.S. monetary policy.

Vice President JD Vance said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has been slow to deal with inflation and helping with trade deals. “He’s a nice guy,” Vance said in a Fox News interview Thursday, “but he’s been wrong about almost everything.

Despite pressure from President Donald Trump to slash interest rates, the Federal Reserve was expected to stick to its wait-and-see approach.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to speak with reporters after the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady amid widespread economic uncertainty tied to President Trump's tariffs.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated the need for a wait-and-see approach during a press conference following the committee's policy announcement.

The next Federal Open Market Committee meeting is on June 17-18, when the summary of economic projections will also be released by the Committee.