Top 5 things to watch in markets in the week ahead
Investing.com — In the holiday shortened week ahead investors will be looking to the latest Federal Reserve minutes for any new insights on the direction of monetary policy. Earnings from chipmaker Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) will be a critical test of the artificial intelligence fever that has helped power gains for U.S. stocks in recent months. Walmart (NYSE:WMT) kicks off earnings from the biggest U.S. retailers, Chinese markets return, and PMI data will shed light on the strength of the global economy. Here’s what you need to know to start your week.
1. Fed minutes
The economic calendar is quiet for the holiday shortened week ahead with Wednesday’s minutes of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting the highlight.
Policymakers kept borrowing costs unchanged at their January 30-31 meeting and indicated that a cut at their upcoming meeting in March is unlikely.
Several Fed officials, including Fed Chairman Jerome Powell have indicated more time is needed to make sure inflation is on a sustainable path back to the Fed’s 2% target.
Markets are currently pricing in four quarter point rate cuts this year, starting in June, after scaling back rate cut bets in the wake of recent strong jobs, GDP and inflation data.
Investors will also get a chance to hear from Fed officials during the week, including Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, governors Lisa Cook and Christopher Waller, along with Vice Chair Philip Jefferson.
The economic calendar also features data on existing home sales and initial jobless claims.
2. Nvidia earnings
Nvidia will report earnings after the U.S. market close on Wednesday in what could be a pivotal test of market sentiment given the size of the company and its place at the center of excitement over the
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