The FOMC rate decision and policy statement arrive Wednesday at 2:00 pm, followed by Powell’s presser at 2:30 pm. Market focus shifts Thursday at 8:30 am to high-impact Core PCE inflation and annualized GDP data. Friday features the Employment Cost Index at 8:30 am. Next Monday brings ISM Manufacturing PMI at 10:00 am, while ADP employment data looms next Wednesday at 8:15 am. Traders are monitoring potential hawkish holds as inflation remains the primary policy driver.
Expect heightened volatility during Wednesday's Fed announcement; prioritize risk management around the 2:00 pm window. Thursday’s PCE and GDP print will likely dictate the dollar's direction and long-term rate expectations. Monitor the 8:30 am releases for sharp moves in equity futures.
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.