What to Expect in the Markets This Week

As markets return to a full week of trading, investors will be watching for labor market data throughout the week, including the U.S. payroll report on Friday. Several Federal Reserve speakers are on the calendar, including San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee. A handful of companies will report earnings, including Paychex (PAYX), Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY), Levi Strauss (LEVI), and BlackBerry Limited (BB).

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. employment report on Friday will show whether the unemployment rate continues to trend upward and how many jobs employers added to the economy.
• Several Federal Reserve speakers are on the calendar and could speak on the latest developments in inflation data.
• Levi Strauss, Dave & Buster’s, and BlackBerry are some of the companies scheduled to report earnings.

Market Data and Earnings Reports

Investors will be closely monitoring the U.S. payroll report on Friday to gauge the health of the labor market. Last month, unemployment reached its highest levels since January 2022, so a strong labor report could impact Federal Reserve decisions regarding interest rate cuts. Additionally, several companies are set to report earnings this week, including Paychex, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Levi Strauss, and BlackBerry Limited.

Monday, April 1

• S&P U.S. Manufacturing PMI (March final)
• Construction spending (February)
• ISM manufacturing (March)

Tuesday, April 2

• Factory orders (February)
• Job openings (February)
• San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly is scheduled to deliver remarks
• New York Fed President John Williams moderates a panel discussion
• Earnings reports from Paychex, Cal-Maine Foods, and Dave & Buster’s Entertainment

Wednesday, April 3

• ADP employment (March)
• S&P U.S. Services PMI (March final)
• ISM services (March)
• Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee delivers remarks
• Fed Chairman Jerome Powell participates in a forum at Stanford
• Earnings reports from Acuity Brands, Levi Strauss, and BlackBerry Limited
• Disney Annual Shareholder Meeting

Thursday, April 4

• U.S. trade balance (February)
• Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee deliver remarks
• Earnings reports from RPM International and Conagra Brands

Friday, April 5

• U.S. employment report (March)
• Consumer credit (February)

Disney Proxy Battle Comes to a Head This Week

Investors will be closely watching Disney’s annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday as a months-long battle with activist investors reaches a climax. Nelson Peltz and his fund Trian Management have been pressuring Disney to restructure its board and develop a new streaming strategy. Disney is working to stave off the coup with notable support from JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon.

Fed Speakers on Tap

Following last week’s confirmation that inflation is stickier than expected, several Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak this week. Their remarks could provide insight into potential interest rate cuts. Investors will be listening to San Francisco Fed President Mary C. Daly, New York Fed President John C. Williams, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, and Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will also be speaking at Stanford on Wednesday.

Stay tuned for more updates on labor market data, earnings reports, and Federal Reserve developments throughout the week.

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