US stocks started the week with a minor uptick as investors geared up for a week filled with important economic data releases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) and the S&P 500 (^GSPC) opened relatively unchanged after reaching new all-time high closes, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) saw a slight increase following a strong performance by tech stocks in the previous week.

Investors are anxiously awaiting the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index on Thursday, which is considered the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge. This upcoming report will be crucial in determining the staying power of the recent breakout rally, sparked by Nvidia's exceptional financial results.

Several other important economic data points are scheduled for release this week. In addition to the PCE index, investors will also be monitoring data on ISM manufacturing, mortgage applications, and home sales, providing further insight into the health of the US economy.

Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) is inching closer to achieving a market value of $1 trillion. The conglomerate, led by Warren Buffett, reported a record annual profit for the second consecutive year, underlining the company's resilience. Buffett praised his right-hand man, Charlie Munger, for his instrumental role in Berkshire's success.

Domino's Pizza (DPZ) saw a 6% increase in its shares after the company surpassed fourth-quarter sales estimates and raised its dividend. Coinbase (COIN), a prominent cryptocurrency platform, experienced a 16% surge as Bitcoin remained above $54,000 per token.

On the other hand, Ford (F) faced delays in shipping certain models of its 2024 F-150 trucks due to quality checks, potentially impacting the company's first-quarter performance.

In the corporate world, stock buybacks are on the rise, signaling increased confidence among companies in the US economy. Industry giants such as Meta (META), Disney (DIS), and Uber (UBER) announced plans for share repurchases this earnings season, with S&P 500 members collectively buying back $63 billion worth of their own stock in the first week of February, the highest single-week total since May 2023.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit to block Kroger's (KR) proposed acquisition of Albertsons (ACI) for $24.6 billion. The FTC argues that the merger would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and limited choices for consumers.

Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining traction in the fast-food industry. Restaurant chains are leveraging AI technology to gather and analyze data from loyal customers, enabling them to offer personalized suggestions and improve the overall dining experience. Domino's Pizza CEO Russell Weiner revealed plans to collaborate with Microsoft on AI applications for both consumer ordering and store operations.

Li Auto (LI), a Chinese electric vehicle maker, surged over 14% after surpassing fourth-quarter earnings expectations and reporting its first-ever annual net profit. This positive news drove up the shares of other electric vehicle peers such as XPeng (XPEV), NIO (NIO), and Tesla (TSLA).

Overall, the stock market continues to experience impressive streaks, with the S&P 500 advancing in 15 out of the last 17 weeks. However, concerns over inflation persist, as unexpected inflation shocks have previously led to market downturns. Analysts suggest that central banks may be forced to keep interest rates higher for longer if inflation persists.

While investors remain watchful of various economic indicators and earnings reports, they will also be mindful of Warren Buffett's investment wisdom, particularly his emphasis on owning businesses with enduring economics and avoiding the permanent loss of capital.

As the week unfolds, market participants will closely monitor the upcoming economic data releases to assess the state of the US economy, which will likely influence the direction of stock markets in the days ahead.