On this holiday-shortened week, the Federal Reserve Board steps out front and center. Not only will several Fed officials be speaking about the economy around the world this week, but the central bank will release the minutes from its latest monetary-policy meeting, which should shed light on how worried economists are about the economic slowdown.
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Monday, October 9:
COLUMBUS DAY: The bond market takes a holiday in commemoration of Columbus Day. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, however, will be open for trading.
Tuesday, October 10:
WINTER FUEL OUTLOOK: The Energy Information Administration will hold its annual conference on the outlook for the winter fuel markets this year.
FEDSPEAK: Richard Fisher, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, is scheduled to deliver a speech in London concerning U.S. monetary policy.
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Alcoa, Century Bancorp, and Genentech
Wednesday, October 11:
FED MINUTES: The Federal Reserve's monetary-policy committee is scheduled to release the minutes of its September 20 meeting, when the central bank voted to leave short-term interest rates alone. Investors who want to know whether the Fed is truly done raising rates this year will want to read every line in this report.
FEDSPEAK: Jeffrey Lacker, president of the Richmond Fed, is scheduled to deliver a speech in Washington, D.C., to discuss his take on the health of the economy.
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Gannett, Media General, Monsanto, and Yum Brands
Thursday, October 12:
BEIGE BOOK: The Fed will release the latest results of its so-called Beige Book report, which offers anecdotal evidence of the health of the economy in each of the Fed's 12 districts.
FEDSPEAK: Michael Moskow, president of the Chicago Fed, will deliver a speech at the Roosevelt University real-estate institute.
EARNINGS TO WATCH: Costco, Genzyme, and PepsiCo
Friday, October 13:
RETAIL SALES: The Commerce Department will release the latest figures on retail and food sales in September.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE: The University of Michigan will offer its preliminary take on consumer sentiment this month.
