Fed Meeting Preview

What’s in Today’s Report:

  • FOMC Preview
  • Market Outlook for Fed Funds at Yearend: Chart

Stock futures are modestly lower on soft retailer earnings from yesterday as focus turns to the July FOMC meeting.

WMT is down 9% in pre-market trading after the retail giant slashed its profit outlook, citing inflation pressures on consumers which is driving risk-off money flows in pre-market trade amid a resurgence in recession fears.

Today, investors will begin to look ahead to tomorrow’s Fed announcement as the FOMC meeting begins this morning however there are also several important economic reports including: Case-Shiller House Price Index (E: 1.6%), Consumer Confidence (E: 96.8), New Home Sales (E: 664K), and the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (E: -10).

Earnings season also continues to pick up today with UPS ($3.14), KO ($0.67), GM ($1.40), GE ($0.38), and MCD ($2.46) reporting ahead of the bell while MSFT ($2.28), GOOGL ($1.28), and V ($1.74) will release results after the close.