STORY: From U.S. inflation data and bank earnings reports to rate decisions in New Zealand and South Korea, here are the events to watch in the business and financial world in the week ahead.
::To look forward
:: Inflation Update
The monthly U.S. consumer price index, released Thursday, will shape opinions on whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in the coming months.
Chairman Jerome Powell is also scheduled to testify before Congress on Tuesday.
He said the United States was back on a “disinflationary path,” but policymakers needed more data before cutting rates.
:: Bank profits
U.S. banks are preparing to kick off their second-quarter earnings season.
JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo will report results on Friday, while Bank of America will do the same a few days later.
:: France returns to the polls
France returns to the polls on Sunday for the second round of its surprise early elections.
The idea of increased spending under Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally — or even under a left-wing government — rattled markets in June.
But a cross-party attempt to block Le Pen’s party from power has reduced its chances of winning an absolute majority.
:: Political pivots?
Investors are looking for clues as to whether rate cuts are planned this year in New Zealand and South Korea.
Both central banks have adopted a cautious stance amid stubbornly high inflation.
They are expected to keep rates at 15-year highs at their respective meetings on Wednesday and Thursday.
