The US Fed is the big macroeconomic story in the diary, as any shocks to the market’s belief that policymakers are ready to stop hiking interest rates soon will have big implications for stock markets, bonds and forex.
As such there will be a laser focus in this coming meeting on the ‘dot plot’ showing the pace of future rate hikes and the expected peak interest rate, as well as the latest economic projections.
“If the Fed hints at a 5% or higher terminal rate, then this could trigger a risk-off response in financial markets,” one market analyst said among the previews of the big event.
Before that, across the pond there will be final results from TUI AG (LSE:TUI) (TUI AG (LSE:TUI)), the tour operator has signalled growth in both its airline and holiday experience markets as it nears pre-pandemic levels, but a strike-ridden Christmas period may dampen the mood.
A strong fourth quarter saw summer bookings increase by 1.4mln to 12.9mln will have bolstered the FTSE 100 group's full-year results, though shares hitting an all-time low recently shows not that many investors are optimistic (see the full preview for more).
Significant announcements
Interims: CyanConnode Holdings PLC (AIM:CYAN) (CyanConnode Holdings PLC (AIM:CYAN))
Finals: Integrafin Holdings PLC, TUI AG (LSE:TUI) (TUI AG (LSE:TUI))
Economic announcements: Consumer Price Index (UK), Producer Price Index (UK), Retail Price Index (UK), MBA Mortgage Applications (US), Import and Export Price Indices (US), Crude Oil Inventories (US)
AGMs: Abrdn Latin American Income Fund Ltd, Fidelity Special Values PLC (LSE:FSV) (Fidelity Special Values PLC (LSE:FSV)), Tremor International Ltd (AIM:TRMR) (Tremor International Ltd (AIM:TRMR)), Volution Group PLC (LSE:FAN) (Volution Group PLC (LSE:FAN))