No rate hike is expected this week, but the fate of the Fed's $4.5T in asset holdings will be in focus
Economic data continues to dominate the news, with the September Fed meeting kicking off on Tuesday. Policymakers are expected to leave the benchmark interest rate untouched, but market participants will be awaiting details on the Fed's plans to unwind its $4.5 trillion balance sheet. Earnings are relatively light, but traders should watch out for reports from some big names like Adobe Systems (ADBE) and AutoZone (AZO). Finally, a handful of speeches from Fed officials are set to close out the week.
Below is a brief list of some key 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.
The NAHB housing market index and Treasury international capital (TIC) flows are due out on Monday, Sept. 18. Steelcase (SCS) will report earnings after the close.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is set to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 19, along with reports on housing starts and import and export prices. Adobe Systems (ADBE), AutoZone (AZO), Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY), and FedEx (FDX) are set to report earnings.
Existing home sales and weekly crude inventories will hit the Street on Wednesday, Sept. 20, with the FOMC policy statement due out at 2 p.m. ET. The Fed's economic forecasts will be released simultaneously, followed by a 2:30 press conference with Chair Janet Yellen. Earnings are expected from General Mills (GIS).
It will be a full day of reports on Thursday, Sept. 21, kicking off with weekly jobless claims, the Philadelphia Fed index, the FHFA home price index, and the index of leading economic indicators. The earnings calendar features results from Manchester United (MANU).
A trio of Fed speeches are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 22, with San Francisco Fed President John Williams, Kansas City Fed President Esther George, and Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan set to deliver remarks. Also on the day's docket are the Baker-Hughes weekly rig count and Markit's flash composite purchasing managers index (PMI). CarMax (KMX) and Finish Line (FINL) are on the earnings list.