Traders will be watching the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting for news on possible interest rate hikes this year
With earnings season winding down, most of the focus next week will be on a flood of data -- including the latest stats on inflation, housing, retail sales, and consumer sentiment. However, the spotlight for the week will be firmly pointed on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, as policymakers debate their next steps on interest rates and monetary policy. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is slated to deliver her first post-meeting press conference since the December rate hike.
Below is a brief list of some key stock market events scheduled for the upcoming week. All earnings dates listed below are tentative and subject to change. Please check with each company's respective website for official reporting dates.
Monday, 3/14
There are no notable economic reports due out on Monday. Fuel Tech (FTEK), MannKind (MKND), Rosetta Stone (RST), and Solazyme (SZYM) will release their quarterly earnings reports.
Tuesday, 3/15
The producer price index (PPI), retail sales, Empire State manufacturing index, NAHB housing market index, and business inventories will be released, along with Treasury International Capital (TIC) data. The FOMC meeting will also kick off. Notable earnings reports will come from 3D Systems (DDD), DSW (DSW), JA Solar (JASO), Oracle (ORCL), and Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX).
Wednesday, 3/16
The consumer price index (CPI), housing starts, and industrial production and capacity utilization are due out, along with the regularly scheduled report on crude inventories. But the Fed's interest rate decision is the highlight of the day's economic calendar, with the 2 p.m. ET announcement followed by a 2:30 press conference with Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Ctrip.com (CTRP), FedEx (FDX), Guess (GES), Jabil Circuit (JBL), and Silver Wheaton (SLW) will step into the earnings confessional.
Thursday, 3/17
Weekly jobless claims will headline the day, along with the Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey and the Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). Adobe Systems (ADBE), Aeropostale (ARO), International Game Technology (IGT), Lands' End (LE), and Shoe Carnival (SCVL) are due to report quarterly earnings.
Friday, 3/18
The preliminary Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index is the major economic report due Friday. On the earnings front,
Tiffany & Co (TIF) is set to report.
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