Markets will look for clues regarding the Fed's decision when
Chair Janet Yellen speaks on the economic outlook before the
Economic Club of Washington. (1225/1725) She also gives welcome
remarks before the National College Fed Challenge Finals
(0830/1330) Other top Fed officials, including the Federal
Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart, will speak
before the Broward Workshop (0810/1310), the Federal Reserve
Board Governor Daniel Tarullo will give opening remarks before
the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act
Outreach Meeting (0900/1400), Philadelphia Fed President Patrick
Harker will give welcome remarks before "Bridging the Gap:
Promising Approaches and Emerging Practices for Addressing Youth
Unemployment" forum (1010/1510) and San Francisco Fed President
John Williams will speak on the economic outlook before a
meeting of Portland community leaders (1540/2040)
Investors will keep an eye on data, including the ADP National
Employment Report and revised figures for productivity and labor
costs for clues regarding the health of the U.S. economy.
Private employers are expected to have added 190,000 jobs in
November. (0815/1315) Meanwhile, the nonfarm productivity
likely grew at a faster pace than previously thought in the
third quarter, keeping labor costs contained. However, the trend
in productivity will likely remain very weak. Economists
forecast productivity, which measures hourly output per worker,
will be revised up at a 2.2 percent annual pace from the 1.6
percent rate the government reported in November. (0830/1330)
Separately, the Federal Reserve issues its so-called Beige Book,
a compendium of anecdotes on the health of the economy drawn
from the central bank's sources across the nation.
Cloud storage provider Box Inc is expected to report
third-quarter revenue slightly above analysts' average
estimates, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine, as more users
sign up for its services. Investors will be looking out for
Box's outlook to see if the company is able to maintain its
growth momentum and gaining subscribers from rivals.
Teen apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters (N:AEO) Inc is expected
to report third-quarter profit and sales above analysts'
estimates, according to Thomson Reuters StarMine. The earnings
beat is expected to be driven by strong demand for its American
Eagle and Aerie brands, coupled with fewer discounts. Investors
will look for forecast for sales in the holiday quarter and
commentary on promotions and trends.
Another teen apparel retailer Aeropostale Inc is expected to
report a loss for the 12th straight quarter. The company has
been steadily narrowing its losses as it clamps down on
discounts. When the company releases its third quarter results,
investors will look for forecast and commentary for sales in the
holiday quarter.
The Bank of Canada is widely expected to hold interest rates at
0.50 percent when it makes its policy announcement. The central
bank cut rates twice this year to offset the shock to the
economy from a drop in oil prices, but it is anticipated to keep
rates where they for some time as it lets the simulative effects
of lower borrowing costs take hold.
Royal Bank of Canada, the country's most valuable company, is
expected to post a higher fourth-quarter profit, driven by
strength in its domestic retail banking and U.S. investment
banking businesses.
Major fertilizer companies present at a Citi investor conference
in New York amid slumping fertilizer prices and profits. Of
interest will be CF Industries' comments on a U.S. legislation
that could scuttle the benefits of tax inversions.
The executive committee of scandal-ridden global soccer body
FIFA meets in Zurich ahead of a February congress to elect a
successor to suspended President Sepp Blatter. The committee is
supposed to decide on what governance reforms to propose to the
congress, but expectations for sweeping change are low.
LIVECHAT: CHINA FOCUS with Sean Yokota, Head of Asia Strategy,
SEB
Sean joins us to discuss the yuan's inclusion in the IMF's SDR
basket, and what to expect from the China economy and markets in
2016. To join the conversation click here