The Federal Reserve will be in focus next week, with an onslaught of central bank officials slated to speak in the lead-up to the mid-December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. With expectations running high that the Fed will pull the trigger on a December rate hike, the preliminary reading on third-quarter gross domestic product (GPD) should draw its fair share of Wall Street's attention, while the Senate Banking Committee will hold its Fed chair confirmation hearing for Jerome Powell. And though earnings season is drawing to a close, a handful of retailers are slated to report -- including Ulta Beauty Inc (NASDAQ:ULTA) -- while quarterly results from Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) could also draw some interest.
Below is a brief list of some key market events scheduled for the upcoming week. All earnings dates listed below are tentative and subject to change. Please check with each company's respective website for official reporting dates.
In addition to early readings on Cyber Monday sales, Wall Street will also hear the latest update on new home sales and the Dallas Fed manufacturing survey on Monday, Nov. 27. After the close, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari and New York Fed President William Dudley are scheduled to speak. There are no notable earnings reports set for release.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, international trade data, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index, and consumer confidence will hit the Street. Additionally, Dudley will once again take to the stage, while the Senate Banking Committee will hold its confirmation hearing for Fed chair nominee Jerome Powell. Autodesk (ADSK), Marvell Technology (MRVL), and Momo (MOMO) will report earnings.
The preliminary reading on third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) will be released on Wednesday, Nov. 29, as will pending home sales, weekly crude inventories, and the Fed's Beige Book. And while Dudley will take the podium for a third time, Fed Chair Janet Yellen's congressional testimony will likely draw the most attention. San Francisco Fed President John Williams is also slated to speak. Earnings from Box (BOX), G-III Apparel (GIII), La-Z-Boy (LZB), Tiffany & Co. (TIF), Tilly's (TLLY), and Workday (WDAY) are due.
Weekly jobless claims, personal income and spending data, and the Chicago purchasing managers index (PMI) are due on Thursday, Nov. 30. The central bank circuit will continue with an early afternoon appearance from Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan. Ambarella (AMBA), Barnes & Noble (BKS), Express (EXPR), Five Below (FIVE), Kroger (KR), Ulta Beauty (ULTA), VMware (VMW), and Zumiez (ZUMZ) will step into the earnings confessional.
The economic calendar doesn't slow down on Friday, Dec. 1, with motor vehicle sales, the Institute of Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index, Markit's purchasing managers manufacturing index (PMI), and construction spending set for release. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard and Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan are scheduled to take the podium. Big Lots (BIG) will report earnings.