The First Slice for Monday, February 5, 2024
This week, the financial world is buzzing with anticipation as the Federal Reserve and various companies gear up to share crucial insights into the state of the economy. After a week of uncertainty regarding interest rate adjustments, investors will closely follow statements from over half a dozen Fed officials. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will also testify to Congress on U.S. financial stability, adding to the intrigue.
However, the focus of the weeklies in earnings reports from prominent companies. Household names like Unilever PLC, McDonald’s, and PepsiCo will provide valuable indicators of U.S. consumer strength. Ford and Honda Motor Co. will shed light on the auto industry’s performance. At the same time, pharmaceutical giants such as Eli Lilly & Co., Amgen Inc., and AstraZeneca PLC will reveal their quarterly updates. Energy companies ConocoPhillips Co. and BP PLC will also be in the spotlight as they report their financial results.
Amidst this corporate earnings frenzy, investors will closely monitor economic indicators, starting with the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey, which provides insights into bank lending conditions. Updates on the U.S. trade deficit, consumer credit, and wholesale inventories will further shape the economic outlook. The week concludes with the annual update of seasonal factors for the Consumer Price Index (CPI), potentially leading to adjustments in previously released CPI numbers……….[read more]
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