Key international financial events this week include: The U.S. earnings week continues, with data on housing starts and existing home sales to be released. The Fed has once again become the focus. In addition to the announcement of the minutes of the FOMC meeting on the 16th, a number of branch presidents and directors will deliver speeches. The developments in Russia and Ukraine will continue to be closely watched.
This week’s trading notes (0214-0220)
1. Walmart (WMT-US)、Nvidia (NVDA-US) and other major company financial reports:
Nvidia is expected to report earnings on the 16th, and may talk about the impact of the Arm acquisition. Bank of America believes supply will remain a likely limiting factor for Nvidia, which closed Friday about 30% below its 52-week high.
Walmart reports earnings on the 17th, with analysts expected to report strong holiday-season results and point to market share gains in some key categories. Its conference call is likely to address the impact of food inflation.
2. Statement by a Fed official:
At present, the focus of the market is still on inflation and interest rate hikes. After the release of inflation data last week, many economists raised their expectations for interest rate hikes. Several Fed officials will speak next week, most notably James Bullard, president of the Fed branch in St. Louis. He said last week that he would like to see a 100 basis point rate hike by July.
In addition to Bullard, Chicago Fed president Charles Evans, New York Fed president John Williams and Cleveland Fed president Loretta Mester all have public speaking schedules.
The Fed released the minutes of its last meeting on Wednesday. Investors will be watching closely for any new insights on its rate hike plans, inflation outlook or balance sheet commentary.
3 Russia/Ukraine situation:
Will Russia Invade Ukraine? The White House seems to think so as they tell all American citizens to leave Russia now. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Russia was amassing more troops near the Ukrainian border and that an invasion could happen at any time, perhaps before the Winter Olympics.
oil, gold,Swiss Franc、Japanese Yen、DollarAnd bonds, the safe-haven assets most likely to rise on related news. But the invasion may have been partially priced in by the market. Russia said earlier that they would soon respond to the United States and NATO on security issues.
