Fed Interest Rate Decision, U.S. Retail Sales, Meta Event, Earnings from FedEx, General Mills

The Fed is on the clock.

A highly anticipated interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve takes the spotlight this week; both that decision, set for Wednesday, and subsequent remarks from Chair Jerome Powell, could move markets as he lays out the central bank’s views on the economy and more.

Investors have bid up stocks ahead of the Fed meeting. The major U.S. indexes logged gains last week even after a mixed Friday finish.

U.S. retail sales data will offer insight into the state of consumer spending, as will earnings reports from cereal maker General Mills and Darden Restaurants. Shipping giant FedEx’s earnings will offer a view of overall economic conditions.  And tech investors will be watching Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who on Wednesday is set to take the stage at the social media giant’s annual developers’ conference. 

Federal Reserve Expected to Make First Rate Cut This Year

Investors expect the Fed to lower interest rates for the first time this year on Wednesday. The rate decision comes as recent job reports signaled a weakening labor market, but inflation remains elevated. Following the decision, investors will be scrutinizing remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell as he details the central bank’s views on monetary policy.

U.S retail sales data for August, due Tuesday, comes amid signs that tariffs haven’t significantly weighed on consumer spending.

Data on August housing starts is scheduled for release on Wednesday. Builders have been struggling to fill a massive U.S. housing shortfall as high construction and borrowing costs continue to weigh on the market. Investors will also be watching jobless claims on Thursday after recent reports have shown job growth slowing and layoffs increasing.

Meta Conference, FedEx Earnings in the Corporate Spotlight

On Wednesday evening, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will kick off the company’s annual Meta Connect conference, where the Facebook parent is expected to focus attention on product offerings like its AI glasses. The social media giant is devoting significant resources to AI, including big paydays for top talent. 

FedEx is set to report earnings after markets close on Thursday. The shipping giant suspended its full-year outlook last quarter amid uncertainty around U.S. tariffs. Earnings reports from cereal maker General Mills on Wednesday and Olive Garden parent Darden Restaurants on Thursday could shed more light on how consumers are faring.

Cryptocurrency exchange Bullish is scheduled to post its first earnings report as a public company on Wednesday, a month after making its trading debut.

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This Week’s Calendar

Monday, Sept. 15

• Empire State Manufacturing (September)
• Key Earnings: Dave & Buster’s (PLAY)

Tuesday, Sept. 16

• U.S. retail sales (August)
• More Data to Watch: Import price index (August), Industrial production (August), Capacity utilization (August), Business inventories (July), Homebuilder confidence (September)
• Key Earnings: Ferguson Enterprises (FERG)

Wednesday, Sept. 17

• Federal Reserve interest rate decision
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell press conference
• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at Meta Connect 2025
• More Data to Watch: Housing starts (August)
• Key Earnings: General Mills (GIS), Bullish (BULL)

Thursday, Sept. 18

• Initial jobless claims (Week ending Sept. 13)
• More Data to Watch: Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey (September), U.S. leading economic indicators (August)
• Key Earnings: FedEx (FDX), Lennar (LEN), Darden Restaurants (DRI), FactSet Research (FDS)

Friday, Sept. 19

One More Thing

AI chatbots have proven to be useful for many tasks, but can they help you invest? A new study shows that AI may not be giving the best financial advice. Investopedia’s Andrew Kessel has more on that story here.