Upcoming Business and Economic Highlights for the Week

Next week will feature several significant events and economic indicators that investors and analysts are eagerly anticipating. One of the most noteworthy is the financial release from Bath & Body Works, which is set to take place on Monday before markets open. Analysts predict that the retailer will report third-quarter earnings per share of 47 cents, with projected revenues of $1.58 billion. This comes in close to last year’s third-quarter performance, where the company reported 48 cents in earnings per share alongside $1.56 billion in revenue. It should be noted that Bath & Body Works shares have dropped approximately 30% since the start of the year, prompting interest in how the latest results will impact its stock performance.

Moving into Tuesday, attention will shift to a report on consumer confidence released by the Conference Board. Expectations are for a rise in consumer confidence for the second consecutive month. The report from October showed a surprisingly high reading at 108.7, marking the most significant monthly increase since March 2021. This index serves as a measure of how Americans perceive current economic conditions and their outlook for the six-month period ahead. Historical confidence levels for recent months include 97.8 in June, 101.9 in July, 105.6 in August, 99.2 in September, and the anticipated 112.9 for November, according to FactSet.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will release the minutes from its latest policy meeting. This follows a recent decision by the Fed to lower its key interest rate by a quarter-point in response to a steady drop in inflation since the pandemic’s peak. This rate cut comes after a more significant half-point reduction in September, signifying the Fed’s strategic emphasis on bolstering the job market while simultaneously controlling inflation, which has recently stabilized just above their 2% target.

This week promises to provide valuable insights into consumer behavior and the overall economic landscape as these key events unfold. Investors will be closely monitoring these developments as they have the potential to influence market dynamics significantly.