(Repeats with no changes)
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CPI report for May due on Wednesday
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Fiscal bill in focus amid Trump-Musk rift
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S&P 500 just over 2% from February record high
By Lewis Krauskopf
NEW YORK, June 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. stock rebound has
driven key indexes to the cusp of record levels, with fresh
economic data and trade and fiscal policy developments set to
test whether equities will get an extra push higher in the near
term.
A monthly U.S. inflation report headlines the events for
markets in the coming week.
Equities have bounced back from a steep fall in April,
sparked by concerns about the economic fallout from President
Donald Trump's tariff plans. Stocks ended the week on a high
note, with the S&P 500 closing on Friday above 6,000 for
the first time since late February, buoyed by a monthly U.S.
jobs report that calmed worries about the economy.
The benchmark S&P 500 ended on Friday 2.3% off its record
closing high from February.
"I'd still say it's a cautious tone" in the market, said Jim
Baird, chief investment officer with Plante Moran Financial
Advisors. Despite a "recovery off the lows, I still think it's a
market that is looking for greater clarity."
Some uncertainty stems from how the U.S. economy is
weathering the shifting trade backdrop. Trump has eased back on
some of the harshest tariffs since his April 2 "Liberation Day"
announcement sent stocks tumbling, but investors are waiting to
see how other levies may be rippling through the economy.
The consumer price index report for May, due on Wednesday,
could give insight into the tariff impact at a time investors
are wary of any flare-ups in inflation.
"Consumers are feeling the impact of higher prices and if
there are indications that near-term inflation could
re-accelerate, that is going to put further pressure on
discretionary spending and ultimately could lead to a more
pronounced slowdown in growth," Baird said.
The CPI report will be one of the last key pieces of data
before the Federal Reserve's June 17-18 meeting. The U.S.
central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at
that meeting, but traders are pricing in nearly two 25-basis
point cuts by the end of the year.
"If we see inflationary data that defies what people are
concerned about based on this tariff talk and it comes in
cooler, then that could also be a catalyst to at least test
those old highs," said Jay Woods, chief global strategist at
Freedom Capital Markets.
For the year, the S&P 500 is up 2%. But the index has
stormed back over 20% since April 8, at the depth of the stock
market's plunge on concerns over the tariff fallout.
Investors also are grappling with uncertainty over a
sweeping tax-cut and spending bill under review in the U.S.
Senate. Wall Street is monitoring how much the legislation could
stimulate economic growth, but also inflate the country's debt
burden as widening fiscal deficits have become a central concern
for markets in recent weeks.
"As debt increases, it has a greater negative impact on
growth," said Kristina Hooper, chief market strategist at Man
Group.
The legislation also appeared to be the source of a severe
rift between Trump and Tesla chief Elon Musk, which
weighed on stock indexes. Former Trump ally Musk called the bill
at the heart of Trump's agenda a "disgusting abomination," while
Trump said he was "disappointed" by the billionaire's public
opposition.
Trade talks also remain at the forefront of markets, with a
90-day pause on a wide array of Trump's tariffs set to end on
July 8. Trump said on Friday three of his cabinet officials will
meet with representatives of China in London on Monday to
discuss a trade deal.
"When it comes to policy from Washington, D.C., there are
still big question marks," said Bob Doll, chief investment
office at Crossmark Global Investments.