More surprises in store for the US?

With a surprise US Federal Reserve statement due to be released today, markets will be very cautious in anticipation. With no indication of what the statement will include, investors will be wary if any change in US interest rates is announced. A series of important data releases are due to follow. The very next day will see the release of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter, which is expected to post another strong figure. Following this will be the release of Consumer Confidence data for the US, which is also expected to show positive growth.

Durable goods orders and unemployment claims data due to be released on Thursday are expected to show stable figures in the US, along with Personal Income and Personal Spending data releases. If all signs show positivity, it will back up the Federal Reserve’s statement that the interest rate decision will be data driven, leading to more speculation regarding a December rate hike.