Looking Ahead: September 16 through September 20, 2013

Concerns about Syria were prominent during the week. As diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem began, fears receded and investor angst concerning possible Federal Reserve action kept investors on the sidelines as they waited for the FOMC announcement and the Fed chairman’s post meeting press conference. The UK continued to post better than expected economic data, this time on the labour market. China’s data showed the economy there beginning to stabilize. The FOMC finally will announce its decision concerning the reduction of Fed stimulus this week. Also on tap, the Reserve Bank of India under its new governor Raghuram Rajan will try to find ways to stimulate the Indian economy and bring about reforms that are desperately needed. The Bank of England releases minutes from its September monetary policy board meeting. They will be parsed carefully as bank watchers look for further clarification of the Bank’s forward guidance.