Here’s a run-down of the key reports that investors should be focused on this week in the markets.
1. FOMC Speakers
This week, three FOMC members will be speaking at several panel discussions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s financial markets conference “Central Banking in the Shadows: Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Post crisis,” in Stone Mountain:
- Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker is due to deliver opening remarks at tomorrow’s conference. In addition, Lacker will also be speaking about the economic outlook at the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Regional Forum earlier in the day.
- Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams will be participating in the Atlanta Fed’s panel discussion titled “Financial Stability: How Essential Financial Stability be to Central Banks?” on Wednesday.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart will be participating in the panel discussion “Monetary Policy: Will the Traditional Banking Channel Remain Central to Monetary Policy?” on Wednesday.
In addition, Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard will be speaking at he Ninth Biennial Federal Reserve System Community Development Research Conference, in Washington DC on Thursday
2. U.S. Economic Data
This week, investors will digest several key domestic economic reports, including:
- On Tuesday, the Conference Board is slated to release its consumer confidence index, which is forecasted to come in at 96.6, up slightly from the previous 96.4 reading.
- On Wednesday, ADP non-farm employment will be released. the estimated change from the previous month is expected to come in at 231K.
- Also on Wednesday, ISM Manufacturing PMI is expected to be reported at 52.5, versus the previous recording of 52.9 (a reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing industry).
- On Thursday, the U.S. trade balance will be announced. Analysts expect the metric to come in at -41.5B, a slight decline from the previously recorded -41.8B.
- Also on Thursday, weekly unemployment claims will be reported; claims are expected to rise slightly to 285K from 282K.
- On Friday, the U.S. non-farm employment change, unemployment rate, and average hourly earnings (month-over-month) will be reported. The forecasts for these metrics are 251K, 5.5%, and 0.2%, respectively.
3. International Reports
Outside the U.S., several key foreign economic reports will also be released:
- On Tuesday, the U.K. will release its current account figures, which are expected to come in at -21/2B versus the previously recorded -27.0B.
- Euro zone CPI Flash Estimate (year-over-year) will be reported on Tuesday; analysts expect the metric to come in -0.3%.
- Canadian GDP (month-over-month) will be announced on Tuesday and is expected to come in at 0.2%.
- Chinese Manufacturing PMI and HSBC Final Manufacturing PMI will be released on Tuesday; both PMI figures are expected to show industry contraction.
- On Wednesday. Australia will release its trade balance, which is expected to come in at -1.25B.
- On Thursday, Canada will release its trade balance, which is estimated at -1.8B.
4. Earnings to Watch
This week will also see several key earnings reports, including:
- Movado Group (MOV ) will release its earnings on Tuesday before the open. Analysts estimate EPS to come in at $0.2.
- Monsanto (MON ) will report its earnings on Wednesday before the opening bell. EPS estimates are around $2.96.
- Acuity Brands (AYI ) will release its results on Wednesday before the open. EPS is expected to be reported at $1.06.
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