Next Week's Macro Outlook: CPI Data Incoming, Federal Reserve to Hold Payment Innovation Conference to Discuss Stablecoins and Tokenization

BlockBeats News, October 18 — With Trump’s remarks on Friday easing trade tension concerns and regional bank stocks rebounding, Wall Street finally closed the week in the green after a period of unease. Bonds, gold, and silver all fell in response. Wall Street is about to enter a crucial week for interpreting the real situation of American companies: the peak of Q3 earnings releases and the release of key inflation data. The following are the main market highlights to watch in the coming week (all times UTC+8):

Monday 10:00, China Q3 GDP annual rate;

Monday 22:00, US September Conference Board Leading Index monthly rate;

Tuesday, the Federal Reserve holds a payments innovation conference to discuss stablecoins, artificial intelligence, and tokenization;

Tuesday 21:00, Federal Reserve Governor Waller delivers the opening remarks at the Federal Reserve Board Payments Innovation Conference;

Wednesday 03:30, Federal Reserve Governor Waller delivers the closing remarks at the Federal Reserve Board Payments Innovation Conference;

Friday 20:30, US September unadjusted CPI annual rate, US September seasonally adjusted CPI/core CPI monthly rate, US September unadjusted core CPI annual rate.

Due to the ongoing US government shutdown, the market will focus on the only major data release next week — September CPI, to be published on Friday. Regardless of the data outcome, investors almost unanimously expect the Federal Reserve to cut rates by another 25 basis points at the October 28-29 meeting. The September CPI report is particularly noteworthy as it will be one of the few official economic data releases from US government statistical agencies during the shutdown that began on October 1.