- United States: The Federal Reserve is expected to continue its rate hike cycle, with Chair Powell testifying before Congress on Wednesday and Thursday. The housing market is also under close scrutiny, with data on building permits, mortgage applications, and existing home sales due out this week.
- Eurozone: The European Central Bank is also expected to raise rates, but the pace of tightening is likely to be more gradual than in the US. The ECB is also facing a number of other challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the risk of a recession.
- United Kingdom: The Bank of England is expected to raise rates for a fifth consecutive meeting. Inflation in the UK is at a 40-year high, and the BoE is under pressure to act to bring it under control.
- Other countries: Other central banks around the world are also expected to raise rates in an effort to combat inflation. The Reserve Bank of Australia, the Swiss National Bank, and the Bank of Canada are all expected to hike rates this week.
In addition to central bank policy, there are a number of other factors that could impact the markets this week. These include:
- US economic data: The release of key economic data, such as retail sales and industrial production, could provide insights into the health of the US economy.
- Geopolitical developments: The war in Ukraine and the ongoing tensions between the US and China could continue to weigh on investor sentiment.
- Corporate earnings: A number of major companies are scheduled to report earnings this week, which could provide investors with an update on corporate profits and outlooks.
Overall, the markets are likely to be volatile this week as investors assess the latest economic data and central bank policy decisions.