Wall St Week Ahead Investors await Fed rate outlook as Iran war keeps markets on edge

Group 1 - Investors are focused on the impact of the Iran war on interest rate expectations and inflation, with oil prices surging to nearly $120 a barrel [1][1][1] - The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady for the second consecutive meeting, with market expectations for rate cuts being dialed back due to rising energy prices [1][1][1] - The Fed will release updated economic projections, which will be crucial for understanding the potential impact of the conflict on inflation and economic growth [1][1][1] Group 2 - U.S. stock indexes have declined over 4% from their record highs, indicating increased market volatility since the onset of the Iran conflict [1][1][1] - A weak jobs report for February may influence the Fed's stance on interest rates, with futures pricing in a single quarter-percentage point cut by December [1][1][1] - Nvidia's upcoming annual developer conference is expected to renew interest in the artificial intelligence sector, which has previously caused volatility in technology stocks [1][1][1]