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Investors are entering a holiday-shortened trading week focused heavily on upcoming inflation data, with CPI figures seen as a key driver for near-term market direction. Coverage also flagged Apple's new CEO facing an early major test, as markets digest the aftermath of the Labor Day weekend. Stocks have shown signs of stumbling in early September trading, with commentary suggesting this year's easy gains may be fading as investors weigh the prospect of the Federal Reserve's first rate hike since 2023. Adding to the week's focus, Apple's new CEO is set to lead a major product launch on September 9, which analysts are describing as a potentially 'phenomenal' event and an early test of leadership under the new chief executive. Markets are watching closely for both the inflation data and Apple's launch as key catalysts for the week ahead.