Fed's rate decision looms as markets hover near records: What to watch this week

Group 1: Market Overview - Major stock indexes closed mixed on Friday but recorded solid weekly gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising nearly 1% for its first winning week in three weeks, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite achieving their best weekly performances since early August [2] - Treasury yields remained near recent lows, while gold prices reached new records as markets anticipated a potential Federal Reserve pivot [2] Group 2: Economic Indicators - Upcoming economic data includes a weekly update on jobless claims and fresh manufacturing data, which will provide insights into the strength of the economy [3] - Mortgage rates saw their largest weekly drop in a year, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate decreasing to 6.35% from 6.5% the previous week [3] Group 3: Earnings Reports - Earnings season is nearing its end, with key reports expected from FedEx, Lennar, General Mills, Darden, and Cracker Barrel, with FedEx's results being particularly significant as a proxy for global trade and the US economy [4] Group 4: Federal Reserve Decision - The Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell's press conference are anticipated to be the key economic events of the week, alongside the release of the quarterly "dot plot" indicating policymakers' interest rate projections [5] - In June, the Fed projected two rate cuts for 2025, but the committee showed division, with seven members opposing any cuts compared to four in March [6] Group 5: Tariffs and Inflation - Tariffs are contributing to inflation, with US customs duties reaching a record $29.5 billion in August due to new "reciprocal" levies implemented by President Trump [7]