What to watch today: Stocks set to rise as June retail sales beat Wall Street expectations

What to watch today: Stocks set to rise as June retail sales beat Wall Street expectations

BY THE NUMBERS were slightly higher Friday morning, as the first major week of second-quarter earnings reports comes to a close on Wall Street. Dow futures implied an opening gain of more than 70 points, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures also were in the green. (CNBC) * (CNBC) The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the only major index to finish in positive territory Thursday, gaining 53.79 points, or 0.15% to close at 34,987.02. The S&P 500 dipped 0.33%, while the Nasdaq lost 0.7% and broke its three-session win streak. The 30-stock Dow is on track for its fourth positive week in a row and has risen in four of the past five sessions. * (CNBC PRO) The Commerce Department released better-than-expected June retail sales Friday morning, rising 0.6% for the month. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect retail sales to have declined 0.4% in June. IN THE NEWS TODAY Treasury Secretary told CNBC she expects before price pressures begin to subside. "I'm not saying that this is a one-month phenomenon. But I think over the medium term, we'll see inflation decline back toward normal levels. But of course, we have to keep a careful eye on it,"