The Week Ahead: Fed Decision, Dow Earnings Deluge

• Fed Chair Jerome Powell will deliver a speech following the FOMC interest rate decision on Wednesday, January 28
• Major economic data releases include previously delayed durable goods orders, trade deficit figures, factory orders, and PPI measurements throughout the week
• A significant number of Dow components and Big Tech companies will report quarterly earnings, creating potential market volatility

Summary: The Week Ahead - Fed Decision and Major Earnings Reports

Federal Reserve Decision:

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, followed by a speech from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The CME FedWatch tool indicates a 95% probability that rates will remain unchanged.

Major Earnings Reports:

A significant wave of corporate earnings is scheduled for the final week of January, featuring prominent companies across multiple sectors:

• Big Tech: Tesla, Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta Platforms
• Energy: Chevron (CVX) and Exxon Mobil (XOM)
• Industrials: Dow (DOW), Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX (RTX), and UPS (UPS)
• Technology: IBM (IBM) and Texas Instruments (TXN)
• Airlines: American Airlines (AAL) and JetBlue Airways (JBLU)
• Financial Services: SoFi (SOFI)

Economic Data Calendar:

• Monday, Jan. 26: Previously delayed durable goods orders
• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Consumer confidence data
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: FOMC rate decision and Powell speech
• Thursday, Jan. 29: Jobs data, delayed U.S. trade deficit figures, wholesale inventories, factory orders, and revised productivity data
• Friday, Jan. 30: Delayed Producer Price Index (PPI) and core PPI

Market Implications:

The concentration of major earnings releases alongside critical economic indicators and the Fed decision creates a potentially volatile week for markets. The 95% expectation of unchanged rates suggests market stability, though Powell's commentary and corporate earnings guidance will be crucial for investor sentiment heading into February.