PENDING HOME SALES, THE FED, GDP, INFLATION, MANUFACTURING, JOBS… This week tells us about lots of things economic, but the forecasts are mixed. December Pending Home Sales should be down a bit and Wednesday’s FOMC Rate Decision is expected to be unchanged, but the Fed’s policy statement will be scrutinized for its economic prognostications. Earlier that day, we’ll see an actual economic reading. Unfortunately, Q4 Advanced GDP is predicted to come in at a measly 1% annual growth rate.
Inflation is forecast to stay in check, as measured by Core PCE Prices, while the ISM Index of manufacturing should come in just over 50, showing expansion. The week concludes with its final biggie, Friday’s December Employment Report. A gain of 180,000 new payrolls is predicted, enough to drop the Unemployment Rate a tenth of a percent.