FXTS Weekly Market Preview: 16th-20th Dec 2024

We have put together our latest weekly market preview to help you make sense of what is happening in the financial world this week so you can make better informed trading decisions. Our experts have highlighted the most notable earnings reports expected in the coming days from the largest publicly listed companies, alongside important economic data releases.

Economic Highlights

Over in the US, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets for the final time this year. Market consensus is predicting a further policy easing in the form of a 25 bps interest rate cut. The FOMC meeting will be closely watched for signs of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) general outlook ahead of the incoming Trump administration in January. Aside from this, US Q3 GDP, core PCE data for November, and Canada’s inflation data will also be released in the week ahead.

Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England is expected to halt any rate cuts this time round. Despite lowering the bank rate last month, the BoE is set to remain in neutral gear amid ongoing inflation concerns. UK inflation and employment data is also on the release sheet this week. Elsewhere in Europe, the final eurozone inflation data for the eurozone will be revealed, along with the key Ifo and ZEW sentiment surveys from Germany. 

Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific region, the main focus of attention will be on the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) December meeting. The likelihood of an interest rate hike is appearing to decrease as the odds shift towards the BoJ officials keeping rates stable. Other notable releases include Japan trade data, China industrial production and retail sales data, while in New Zealand, the country’s Q3 GDP figures will be published.

Monday 16th December

Earnings

• BHP Group Limited (BHP) – Q4 2024

Releases

• Canada (Housing Starts, November)
• China (1-Year MLF Announcement)
• China (Fixed Asset Investment, November)
• China (Industrial Production, November) 
• China (Retail Sales, November)
• Indonesia (Trade, November)
• Italy (Inflation, November final)

Tuesday 17th December

Earnings

• Heico Corporation (HEI) – Q4 2024

Releases

• Canada (Inflation, November)
• Canada (New Housing Price Index, November)
• Eurozone (Balance of Trade, October)
• Germany (Ifo Business Climate, December)
• Germany (ZEW Economic Sentiment Index, December)
• United Kingdom (Labour Market Report, October)
• United States (Retail Sales, November) 
• United States (Industrial Production, November)
• United States (Business Inventories, November)

Wednesday 18th December

Earnings

• Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) – Q1 2025

Releases

• Australia (Westpac Consumer Confidence, December)
• Eurozone (Inflation, November final)
• Indonesia (BI Interest Rate Decision)
• Japan (Trade, November)
• Thailand (BoT Interest Rate Decision)
• United States (Building Permits, November)
• United States (FOMC Interest Rate Decision)
• United States (Housing Starts, November) 
• United Kingdom (Inflation, November)

Thursday 19th December

Earnings

• Accenture plc. (ACN) – Q1 2025
• Nike, Inc. (NKE) – Q1 2025
• FedEx Corporation (FDX) – Q2 2025

Releases

• Germany (GfK Consumer Confidence, January)
• Japan (BoJ Interest Rate Decision)
• Mexico (Banxico Interest Rate Decision)
• New Zealand (GDP, Q3)
• Philippines (BSP Interest Rate Decision)
• United Kingdom (BoE Interest Rate Decision)
• United States (CB Leading Index, November)
• United States (Existing Home Sales, November)
• United States (GDP, Q3 final)

Friday 20th December

Earnings

• No noteworthy releases

Releases

• China (Loan Prime Rate, November)
• Eurozone (Consumer Confidence, December flash)
• Japan (Inflation, November)
• Malaysia (Inflation, November)
• United Kingdom (Retail Sales, November)
• United States (Core PCE, November)
• United States (Personal Income, November)
• United States (Personal Spending, November)
• United States (UoM Sentiment, December final)

For a more in-depth look at the upcoming week’s key events, visit our Economic Calendar.