Overview of Key Schedules for the New Week

• Powell's 'Final Dance'?

The market widely expects the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged next week (2:00 AM Beijing time on Thursday). As there will be no new economic forecasts or dot plot released this time, investors will focus on the policymakers' latest views on the economic impact of the Middle East war and the interest rate path.

Due to concerns that the war could drive up energy prices, the market has scaled back its expectations for interest rate cuts this year. According to LSEG data, the market currently expects less than a standard 25 basis point rate cut by December, compared to at least two cuts anticipated before the outbreak of the war in late February.

$State Street (STT.US)$Senior Global Macro Strategist Marvin Loh stated, "The Fed's wait-and-see stance itself is somewhat supportive, providing some tailwinds for U.S. assets compared to other central banks that may still raise rates."

This meeting could also be Powell’s last as head of the Federal Reserve, with his term set to end on May 15. Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee for the next Fed Chair, attended a confirmation hearing this week before a U.S. Senate subcommittee.

It was reported that the U.S. Department of Justice concluded its investigation into Powell regarding renovation costs at the Fed headquarters on Friday, clearing a key obstacle for Warsh's succession.

"Our view remains that a Fed led by Warsh will be more dovish on interest rates," said Mohit Kumar, Global Economist at Jefferies, in a report. Jefferies still expects the Fed to cut rates twice this year.

At 2:00 AM on Thursday, the Federal Reserve's FOMC will announce its interest rate decision.

At 02:30 on Thursday, Federal Reserve Chair Powell held a press conference on monetary policy.

• Next week will also see the release of Q1 U.S. economic growth data and the March Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index.

This is the inflation indicator the Federal Reserve pays the most attention to. Both reports may reveal the impact on the economy so far from the Middle East conflict.

In addition to the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and the Bank of England will also announce their latest interest rate decisions next week. Investors will focus on how the governors of these central banks view the impact of energy price spikes triggered by the Middle East war and the possibility of interest rate adjustments in the coming months as a result.

• Other central banks will disclose data.

On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan will kick off the super central bank week. Although expectations for a rate hike in April were heating up before the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, such a move is now out of the question. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has exacerbated economic concerns, preventing the yen from benefiting from the weakening dollar.

The market will pay close attention to the Bank of Japan's wording, but hawks expecting signals of a June rate hike may be disappointed. However, the continued decline of the U.S. dollar against the yen might force the central bank to make a choice: continue tolerating a weak yen that benefits exports and inflation or decisively intervene to ease the pressure for a rate hike?

The European Central Bank will meet on Thursday. The situation in the Middle East and surging energy prices have made things difficult for the eurozone, but accelerating inflation has ruled out any chance of a rate cut.

The European Central Bank is expected to remain on hold. Most members will support pausing rate hikes until the situation becomes clearer and delaying the decision until new forecasts are released in June. However, to placate hawks, Lagarde’s tone may lean slightly hawkish.

The Bank of England will also meet on Thursday. Although inflation in March did not accelerate significantly, the rebound in the April PMI preliminary reading and strong retail sales in March have reignited expectations of a rate hike.

Although hawkish rhetoric remains strong, doves still dominate. The voting outcome could swing either way, and if a 5-to-4 vote occurs, it will inevitably trigger market volatility.

On Tuesday, the Bank of Japan will release its interest rate decision and economic outlook report;

At 14:30 on Tuesday, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will hold a press conference on monetary policy;

At 21:45 on Wednesday, the Bank of Canada will announce its interest rate decision and monetary policy report;

At 22:30 on Wednesday, Bank of Canada Governor Macklem and Senior Deputy Governor Rogers will hold a press conference on monetary policy;

At 19:00 on Thursday, the Bank of England will announce its interest rate decision, meeting minutes, and monetary policy report;

At 19:30 on Thursday, Bank of England Governor Bailey will hold a press conference on monetary policy;

At 20:15 on Thursday, the European Central Bank will announce its interest rate decision;

At 20:45 on Thursday, European Central Bank President Lagarde will hold a press conference on monetary policy.

• A large number of tech giants' earnings reports are about to be released!

The strong upward momentum of the US stock market will face a severe test as a large number of corporate earnings reports are scheduled for release next week, led by major technology companies; additionally, the Federal Reserve meeting may also mark the end of Powell's term as Fed Chair.

US stocks soared this month, rebounding from concerns over the potential economic impact of the Middle East conflict, and hitting record highs. As of Friday, the benchmark$S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$has risen by approximately 13% since March 30. During this period, the tech-heavy$Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC.US)$rose more than 19%.

"We've made significant progress in a short time," said Anthony Saglimbene, Chief Market Strategist at Ameriprise. "Next week will be a critical week to validate this rally; tech giants have much to prove. To see their stock prices rise, they must truly surprise investors with strong earnings."

According to data from Deutsche Bank, equity positioning among investors recorded one of the largest weekly increases since 2010 in the week ending April 17, although it remains only slightly above neutral levels.

For Todd Morgan, Chairman of Bel Air Investment Advisors, regardless of the daily rhythm of ceasefire diplomacy, the US stock market remains solid, and profit growth driven by artificial intelligence could draw idle funds back into the market.

"I am very confident that the market will rise, especially if you buy high-quality stocks," he said.

Analysts also hope that the stock market rebound, fueled by strong inflows into systematic strategies, will gain new support from retail investors, who may have been slower to buy during the market recovery.

Monday (April 27)

Keywords: Wuxi Apptec, Domino's Pizza earnings report,曦智科技-P, 迈威生物-B dark trading

In terms of new stocks, $XIZHI TECH-P (01879.HK)$ 、 $MABWELL-B (02493.HK)$ Grey market.

Earnings-wise,$WuXi AppTec (603259.SH)$， $Domino's Pizza (DPZ.US)$ Earnings report.

Tuesday (April 28)

Keywords: CNOOC, Ping An, BYD, Seagate Technology, Coca-Cola and other companies' earnings reports, Xizhi Technology-P, Maiwei Bio-B listing

In terms of financial events, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda held a press conference on monetary policy.

In the IPO sector, Xizhi Technology-P and Maiwei Bio-B were listed, and Sunmi Electronics-W entered the grey market.

Earnings-wise,$Coca-Cola (KO.US)$ Companies such as released their earnings reports pre-market. $Seagate Technology (STX.US)$ Companies such as will release earnings reports after the market close, $CNOOC (00883.HK)$ 、$Ping An Insurance (601318.SH)$、 $BYD COMPANY (01211.HK)$ Companies such as will release earnings reports.

Wednesday (April 29)

Keywords: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, PetroChina, Hong Kong Exchange, Changfei Optical Fiber, and other companies' earnings reports, U.S. EIA crude oil inventory

In terms of financial events, the U.S. EIA crude oil inventory for the week ending April 24 (in million barrels).

In terms of new stocks, $SUNMI TECH-W (06810.HK)$ ，$STAR SPORTS MED (01609.HK)$Subscription deadline.

In terms of performance, $Alphabet-C (GOOG.US)$ 、 $Amazon (AMZN.US)$ 、 $Microsoft (MSFT.US)$ 、 $Meta Platforms (META.US)$ will release earnings reports after the market close, $PETROCHINA (00857.HK)$ ， $HKEX (00388.HK)$ ， $YOFC (06869.HK)$ announced their financial reports.

Thursday (April 30)

Keywords: Earnings releases by Apple, Seagate Technology, Eli Lilly and Co, FOMC interest rate decision announcement by the Federal Reserve, Powell's speech

In terms of economic events,

The Federal Reserve's FOMC announces its interest rate decision;

Federal Reserve Chair Powell holds a press conference on monetary policy.

The European Central Bank announces its interest rate decision

In terms of performance, $Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.US)$ Companies release earnings reports before the market opens, $Apple (AAPL.US)$ 、 $SanDisk (SNDK.US)$ Companies release earnings reports after the market closes.

Friday (May 1)

Keywords: Earnings releases by Chevron, Exxon Mobil

In terms of financial events, the U.S. April ISM Manufacturing PMI data.

In terms of performance, $Chevron (CVX.US)$ 、 $Exxon Mobil (XOM.US)$ Companies release earnings reports pre-market.

Stay ahead with key financial updates and discover investment opportunities early! Open Futubull > Market > US Stocks >Economic Calendar/selected macroeconomic data, seize the investment opportunity!

Wishing all fellow investors a successful week ahead!

Editor/Lee