Earnings season kicks off in earnest on Tuesday with big banks up first, setting the tone for a critical week on Wall Street. Major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup will report quarterly results, offering early insight into consumer spending, loan demand, and interest-rate sensitivity.

Corporate America faces a high bar to beat investor expectations after a strong 2024 rally pushed valuations to elevated levels. Analysts project S&P 500 earnings growth of roughly 5% for the first quarter, a modest pace that leaves little room for disappointment.

Beyond bank earnings, the week brings key economic data including the consumer price index and retail sales figures. These reports will shape Federal Reserve policy expectations, with markets currently pricing in fewer rate cuts than previously anticipated. The interplay between corporate results and macroeconomic signals will likely drive market volatility through Friday.