In the past trading week, US investors once again welcomed record highs. Following the Fed meeting on Wednesday evening, there were increasing signs that the monetary policy headwinds could soon ease. In the shortened week, new economic data in particular should provide impetus. However, in view of the ambitious price levels, there is always the risk that the air could soon become thinner.
Fed representatives likely to provide impetus at the start of the week - incoming orders could pick up again
The economic data calendar initially promises potential for movement on Monday afternoon (13:25) with a speech by Fed representative Bostic. His colleague Cook will appear from 15:30.
New data on new orders for durable goods is likely to attract investor interest on Tuesday (13:30). An increase of one percent is expected after a decline of 6.1 percent in January (month-on-month).
As the products are generally associated with large investments, they provide a good indication of the activity of US production.
Keep an eye on the Conference Board's consumer confidence at 15:00. A status quo of 106.7 points is expected.
Focus on China data on Wednesday - US GDP likely to provide important impetus
In addition to new China data (industrial profits/ 02:30), a speech by Fed representative Waller (23:00) should be of interest in the middle of the week.
On Thursday, one day before Good Friday, new data on gross domestic product (GDP) will be published at 13:30. The world's largest economy is expected to have grown by 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter of the year, which is less than in the previous quarter (4.9 percent).
At 2.1%, the final figures for personal consumption expenditure in the past quarter are likely to have been slightly higher than in the same period last year (2.0%). Data on consumer sentiment from Michigan will round off the trading day (15:00). In this case, a slight deterioration of 0.4 points to 76.5 points is expected.
Stock exchange doors remain closed on Friday - PCE data provide indications of inflation trends
The so-called PCE price index will be published on Friday at 13:30. If economists have their way, it is likely to have risen by 2.8% in February compared to the previous month, the same as in January. This figure serves not least as an important indicator of future inflation trends. The US stock markets will be closed on Good Friday for the holiday.
