Friday brings high-impact Core PCE and GDP data at 8:30 am, followed by Consumer Sentiment at 10:00 am. Tuesday features Retail Sales at 8:30 am. The primary focus is Wednesday with the FOMC Interest Rate Decision and economic projections at 2:00 pm, followed by Powell’s press conference at 2:30 pm. Markets anticipate volatility as the Fed addresses sticky inflation and growth. Core PPI at 8:30 am Wednesday will further influence the Fed’s immediate policy outlook.
Prepare for significant price swings in the dollar and equities during Wednesday's 2:30 pm presser. If PCE and PPI data remain hot, the Fed may signal fewer rate cuts, favoring defensive sectors over growth-heavy indices like the Nasdaq.
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.