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Key Market Events: Fed Decision and Major Earnings Reports This Week By: Stock Market Charlie

  • Writer: Stock Market Charlie
    Stock Market Charlie
  • Dec 7
  • 3 min read

A grand neoclassical building with towering columns and a prominent facade is captured during a chilly evening. A red and blue flag waves at the top as people, dressed warmly, walk briskly along the street in front, their motion creating a vibrant urban scene.
A grand neoclassical building with towering columns and a prominent facade is captured during a chilly evening. A red and blue flag waves at the top as people, dressed warmly, walk briskly along the street in front, their motion creating a vibrant urban scene.

This week, the Federal Reserve is the focal point of attention.

The U.S. central bank is anticipated to reduce interest rates again on Wednesday, and statements from Fed Chair Jerome Powell may provide insights into the Fed’s plans for 2026. U.S. stock indexes experienced modest gains last week, with the Nasdaq leading the increase.

Market analysts will also be monitoring earnings reports from companies such as Oracle, Broadcom, GameStop, Costco, Adobe, and AutoZone. Additionally, trade deficit data, jobless claims, and the latest federal government budget update are expected.

Continue reading for our calendar of key events—and one additional point of interest.

Investors Anticipate Federal Reserve Interest Rate Reduction

The Federal Open Market Committee will conduct its final meeting of the year, with many market observers predicting a third consecutive interest rate cut on Wednesday. Investors expect rates to decrease to the 3.5% to 3.75% range, despite ongoing debate about whether the central bank should lower borrowing costs while inflation remains above the Fed’s target.

Fed officials will make their decision without a complete set of economic data due to delays following the government shutdown. The latest jobs report will be unavailable, but concerns about the labor market are likely to prompt the central bank to reduce interest rates again.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell will hold a post-meeting press conference, where he is expected to outline the central bank’s perspective on the economy, job market, and inflation. His remarks could offer guidance on the Fed’s approach to interest rates at its next meeting in late January.

Tech and Retail Earnings Spotlight Corporate Calendar

Several corporate earnings reports are expected to capture investor interest, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence.

Oracle will report on Wednesday. Its stock price declined in November due to concerns about the company incurring excessive debt to support its AI infrastructure expansion. AI chipmaker Broadcom, whose share price has increased due to optimism about its relationship with Google-parent Alphabet, a significant chip purchaser, will also report. Graphics software maker Adobe’s Wednesday report will provide further insight into its AI sales despite a decrease in the company’s stock price.


Several prominent retailers are also scheduled to report. Costco's report on Thursday may provide insights into how tariffs are impacting the company, following its recent announcement of suing the Trump administration over trade policies. AutoZone's report will focus on the company's profit levels, which fell short of analyst expectations in the previous quarter due to increased expenditures on expanding its store network. 


This Week’s Calendar

Monday, Dec. 8

  • Key Earnings: Toll Brothers (TOL), Phreesia (PHR)

Tuesday, Dec. 9

  • Job openings (October)

  • Additional Data: NFIB Small Business Optimism (November)

  • Key Earnings: AutoZone (AZO), Toll Brothers (TOL), Ferguson Enterprises (FERG), Casey’s General Stores (CASY), AeroVironment (AVAV), GameStop (GME), SailPoint (SAIL), Core & Main (CNM), Campbell’s (CPB)

Wednesday, Dec. 10

  • Federal Open Market Committee Interest Rate Decision

  • Press Conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell

  • Additional Data: Employment Cost Index (Q3), Monthly U.S. Federal Budget (November)

  • Key Earnings: Oracle (ORCL), Adobe (ADBE), Synopsys (SNPS), Chewy (CHWY), Nordson (NDSN)

Thursday, Dec. 11

  • U.S. Trade Deficit (September)

  • Additional Data: Initial Jobless Claims (Week Ending Dec. 6), Wholesale Inventories (September)

  • Key Earnings: Broadcom (AVGO), Costco (COST), Ciena (CIEN), Lululemon (LULU), Netskope (NTSK)

Friday, Dec. 12

  • Federal Reserve Official Speaking: Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee

  • Key Earnings: Johnson Outdoors (JOUT), Value Line (VALU)

    Value Line. “Value Line Inc - Investor Information and Corporate Announcements.”


Best Regards,

Stock Market Charlie


 
 
 

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