Key Takeaways<\/p>\n
The Fed\u2019s interest-rate decision, July jobs numbers, a key tariffs deadline, fresh inflation data, and earnings from big tech companies highlight a packed economic and corporate calendar this week.\n<\/p>\n
Investors will be watching for more trade deals ahead of the Friday deadline for tariffs<\/a> regarding several leading U.S. trading partners. And while the Federal Reserve isn\u2019t expected to adjust interest rates on Wednesday, updates due this week on U.S. employment and inflation<\/a> levels could signal the likelihood of rate cuts at future Fed meetings.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Several major corporate earnings reports are scheduled to come out this week, including results from Microsoft, Meta Platforms,\u00a0Apple and Amazon. Key finance, health care, and cryptocurrency firms are also on this week\u2019s calendar.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Stocks finished last week strong<\/a>, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ending Friday at record highs.\n<\/p>\n Read to the bottom for our calendar of key events\u2014and one more thing.\n<\/p>\n Investors Focus on the Fed, Tariffs Deadline, Jobs Report, Inflation Data <\/p>\n The Aug. 1 tariffs deadline set by President Donald Trump approaches as negotiations continue<\/a> with several major U.S. trading partners, including the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. All could face tariffs of 30% or more unless trade agreements are reached. U.S. officials will also be negotiating with China ahead of an Aug. 12 deadline that is likely to be extended.\n<\/p>\n Trump has continued to put pressure on the Federal Reserve ahead of its next interest-rate decision on Wednesday. The central bank is widely expected to hold rates at their current levels. On Thursday, the personal consumption expenditures<\/a> index will show whether inflation in June continued to hover above the Fed\u2019s target<\/a>. And Friday\u2019s employment report will be released; the Fed has cited a strong job market as a key factor behind keeping rates elevated.\n<\/p>\n Market watchers will get a first look at gross domestic product for the second quarter after the economy contracted slightly in the first three months of the year.\n<\/p>\n Earnings Due From Magnificent 7, Financial, and Crypto Companies\u2014and More <\/p>\n More than half the \u201cMagnificent Seven<\/a>\u201d is on this week\u2019s earnings calendar, while key companies in the health care, automobile, financial, and cryptocurrency sectors are also scheduled to report.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Meta Platforms (META<\/a>) is set to report on Wednesday. The Facebook parent has said it plans to boost its spending<\/a> on artificial intelligence<\/a> development. Microsoft\u2019s (MSFT<\/a>) expected financial update on the same day comes amid analyst optimism<\/a> over that tech giant\u2019s AI potential.\u00a0Meanwhile, analysts are watching Apple\u2019s (AAPL<\/a>) update on Thursday for insight into whether the iPhone maker is catching up to its peers<\/a> on AI development. Amazon\u2019s (AMZN<\/a>) expected report follows its Prime Day event in July.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Earnings scheduled from Mastercard (MA<\/a>) and Visa (V<\/a>) could provide insight into consumer spending trends. Reports on tap from Procter & Gamble (PG<\/a>), Colgate-Palmolive (CL<\/a>), and Starbucks (SBUX<\/a>) could also provide broader economic insights.\n<\/p>\n Several key health care companies are scheduled to report earnings, including UnitedHealth Group (UNH<\/a>), AstraZeneca (AZN<\/a>), Merck (MRK<\/a>), AbbVie (ABBV<\/a>), and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY<\/a>). Reports from Strategy (MSTR<\/a>) and Coinbase Global (COIN<\/a>) slated for Thursday come after bitcoin in early July hit its first record high<\/a> since May.\u00a0Ford\u2019s (F<\/a>) report on Wednesday comes as automakers face pressure from tariffs<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Quick Links: Recap Last Week\u2019s Trading<\/a> | Latest Markets News<\/a>\n<\/p>\n This Week\u2019s Calendar <\/p>\n Monday, July 28<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Tuesday, July 29<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Wednesday, July 30<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Thursday, July 31<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Friday, Aug. 1<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n One More Thing <\/p>\n\n
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