Wall St Week Ahead: Investors turn focus to bank earnings

A strong third-quarter earnings season will be critical for equities to maintain their momentum. — Reuters

NEW YORK: Investors will look to major banks' quarterly earnings reports in the coming week to help gauge the US economy's health as the federal government shutdown has interrupted the flow of new data.

Major US equity indices slumped on Friday, stalling the market's momentum, after comments from President Donald Trump ratcheted up trade tensions with China. Stocks ended the week on a dour note just before the benchmark S&P 500 is set to mark the third anniversary of the start of its current bull market run on Sunday.