Here are some key themes to watch this week and this month:
This Week:
Earnings season continues:
This week a number of big-name companies are set to report their quarterly earnings, including Alphabet, Microsoft, and Tesla. Investors will be closely watching these earnings reports to see how companies are faring amid the ongoing pandemic and to get a sense of the broader economic recovery.
Federal Reserve meeting:
The Federal Reserve is set to hold its policy meeting this week, and investors will be watching for any indications of a shift in the central bank’s stance on interest rates or monetary policy.
Inflation concerns:
Inflation has been a major concern for investors in recent weeks, and several key inflation indicators are set to be released this week, including the consumer price index and producer price index. Investors will be watching these reports closely to see if inflation continues to climb.
Vaccine progress:
The global vaccination effort continues to progress, and investors will be closely monitoring the pace of vaccinations around the world. Any developments that could impact the pace of the economic recovery, such as new variants of the virus, could also be of concern.
This Month:
Continued earnings season:
The bulk of earnings reports will be released this month, including those from major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.
Infrastructure spending:
The Biden administration has proposed significant infrastructure spending plans, which could have a major impact on the economy and financial markets. Investors will be watching for progress on these plans, as well as any indications of how they may be funded.
Geopolitical tensions:
Tensions between the US and China continue to simmer, and investors will be watching for any indications of escalating tensions, as well as any developments in other geopolitical hotspots around the world.
COVID-19 developments:
The global vaccination effort continues to progress, but new variants of the virus have emerged and some countries are struggling to contain the pandemic. Investors will be watching for any developments that could impact the pace of the economic recovery, such as new lockdowns or travel restrictions.
