Stocks closed the week lower for the first time in a month, with the Morningstar US Market Index down for the week after big-box retailers reported results and Federal Reserve minutes showed policymakers were planning to continue raising rates but were starting to show concerns that they may be moving too fast.

The best-performing sectors last week were utilities and energy. Communication services and basic materials stocks lagged the most.

The biggest gains among individual stocks were energy companies, as natural gas prices rose about 5%. Companies in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure space saw their stocks decline.

U.S. retail sales, excluding autos, rose by less than 0.4% in July from June, despite predictions of no change.

Investors will be keeping an eye on earnings results from retailers to monitor how the latest moves in consumer spending have affected specific firms. Among retailers slotted to report next week are Macy’s (M), Nordstrom (JWN), and Gap (GPS).

Tech and software firms Nvidia (NVDA), Zoom Video Communications (ZM), and Salesforce (CRM) are expected to report as well.

Events scheduled for the coming week include:

• Monday: Zoom reports earnings.
• Tuesday: Macy’s and Nordstrom report earnings.
• Wednesday: Nvidia and Salesforce report earnings.
• Thursday: Gap, Dollar Tree (DLTR), and Dollar General (DG) report earnings.

For the trading week ended Aug. 19:

• The Morningstar US Market Index fell 1.49%.
• The best-performing sectors were utilities, up 1.11%, and energy, up 1.03%.
• The worst-performing sectors were communication services, down 3.77%, and basic materials, down 2.67%.
• Yields on the U.S. 10-year Treasury rose to 2.98% from 2.79%.
• WTI crude-oil prices fell 1.43% to $90.77 per barrel.
• Of the 854 U.S.-listed companies covered by Morningstar, 228 (27%) were up, and 626 (73%) declined.

• What Stocks Are Up?

  The best-performing stocks in the past week were Sonic Automotive (SAH), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM), Cheniere Energy Partners (CQP), and Coloplast (CLPBY).

  

  Energy companies also advanced on the rise in natural gas prices this week. The leading gainers were Cheniere Energy Partners, Coterra (CTRA), and Devon Energy (DVN).

  Shares of Occidental Petroleum rallied Friday following the news that Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), (BRK.B) received federal government approval to buy up to 50% of the company, CNBC reported.

  

  What Stocks Are Down?

  The worst-performing stocks in the past week were I-Mab (IMAB), Sea (SE), Beyond Meat (BYND), ChargePoint (CHPT), and Farfetch (FTCH).

  

  Electric vehicle charging infrastructure companies EVgo (EVGO) and ChargePoint pared back gains from earlier this month as investors parsed the details of the Inflation Reduction Act to see how its proposals would affect the industry. Hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Bloom Energy (BE) also fell. The company said this week that it had priced an offering of 13 million shares of its Class A stock.

  Shares of meme stock Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) had a volatile week rising and then coming down on news that activist investor Ryan Cohen sold the entirety of his stake in the company, CNBC reported.

  

  Jakir Hossain does not own (actual or beneficial) shares in any of the securities mentioned above. Find out about Morningstar’s editorial policies.