Reports on inflation and retail sales are the central updates for Wall Street this week. The reports help give investors and economists a better sense of how costs for everything from gasoline to groceries are impacting sales for a wide range of businesses.

Reports on inflation and retail sales are the central updates for Wall Street this week. The reports help give investors and economists a better sense of how costs for everything…

The rise in oil prices and other commodities is helping to drive inflation up, with price increases outpacing wage gains.