A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week SPOTLIGHT ON HOUSINGThe National Association of Realtors releases its monthly snapshot of existing U.S. home sales Wednesday. Economists project that sales of previously occupied homes slowed slightly in April from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.18 million homes. The spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start this year as home shoppers contend with elevated mortgage rates and rising prices. Existing home sales, in millions, seasonally adjusted annual rate: Nov. 3.91 Dec. 3.88 Jan. 4.00 Feb. 4.38 March 4.19 April (est.) 4.18 Source: FactSet FED CLOSE-UPThe Federal Reserve delivers the minutes from its most recent interest rate policy meeting Wednesday. At that meeting, Fed officials emphasized that inflation has remained stubbornly high in recent months and said the central bank doesn’t plan to cut interest rates until it has greater confidence that price increases are slowing sustainably to its 2% target. Several hotter-than-expected reports on prices and economic growth have recently undercut the Fed’s belief that inflation was steadily easing. |
Cheng Lei China: Jailed Australian TV anchor jailed releases rare messageVOX POPULI: LDP’s Nikai’s ‘expenditures’ on books must make libraries weepDoes Donald Trump have presidential immunity? New video of 'human bear' waving emerges as expert weighs in with verdictPolitics updates: Follow updates for the latest on government targetsChina Taiwan update: WarShi Fu Miz 2023: Hong Kong music & art festival returns to Cheung Chau farm, expands to 3 daysIn pictures: Auckland's Ramadan Night Markets in New LynnClandestine lab found during search for 'dangerous' suspect in violent kidnappingVOX POPULI: Some celebrate while others ponder time and space on leap day