Jobless claims today at 8:30 am and Bowman’s 11:00 am speech provide early cues. Tomorrow, Friday, features high-impact Core PCE, GDP, and Consumer Sentiment starting at 8:30 am. Retail Sales arrive Tuesday at 8:30 am. The climax occurs in 6 days on Wednesday with the FOMC Interest Rate Decision and Economic Projections at 2:00 pm, followed by Powell’s 2:30 pm presser. Markets are bracing for potential shifts in the Fed's 2026 rate trajectory.
Prepare for significant price swings in $SPY and $QQQ tomorrow morning following the PCE inflation data. On Wednesday, focus on the Fed’s "Dot Plot" for clues on future cuts. Maintain tight stops during Powell’s 2:30 pm press conference to manage high-volatility risks.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.