The Week Ahead For February 15th-19th

1.Geopolitical and Fiscal Events.

Monday sees President Obama host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Also, on Monday ECB Head Draghi speaks to the European Parliament as does British Prime Minister Cameron on Tuesday.

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker, noted Hawk, speaks on the economy Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. EST as does new Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neil Kashkari at 10:30 a.m. EST and is then followed by Boston Federal Reserve President Eric Rosengren, a dove, at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Wednesday FOMC meeting minutes due out and St. Louis Federal Reserve President Bullard, a moderate, speak at 6:00 p.m. EST.

Thursday sees San Francisco Federal Reserve President John Williams, a moderate, speak at 3:30 p.m. EST. Friday sees Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester, a noted Hawk, speak at 8:00 a.m. EST.

2.Economic Releases.

Releases of note this week include the weekly chain store sales, oil/gas numbers, mortgage applications and housing starts, PPI, industrial production, Philadelphia Fed Survey, leading indicators along with CPI.

3.Earnings Releases.

Notable releases include ESRX HRL PCLN DPS WMT DISH VFC DE.

Monday, February 8

Markets are closed in the United States for observance of Presidents Day. Canadian markets are closed for Family Day.

President Obama begins a two day summit with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in California.

European Central Bank (ECB) Head Mario Draghi addresses the European Parliament. Tuesday, February 9

Tuesday sees British Prime Minister Cameron addresses the European Parliament.

Wednesday, February 10

Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) January meeting minutes are due out at 2:00 p.m. EST.

January Housing Starts and PPI are due out at 8:30 a.m. EST and are expected to rise to 1.18 million from 1.15 million and remain at -0.2% respectively. Then at 9:15 a.m. EST, January Industrial Production is expected to improve to 0.4% from -0.4%.

Thursday, February 11

The European Union Summit begins in Brussels.

February Philadelphia Fed Survey is expected to improve to -2.5% from -3.5% at 8:30 a.m. EST. Then at 10:00 a.m. EST, January Leading Indicators are expected to improve to -0.1% from -0.2%.

Friday, February 12

January CPI is released at 8:30 a.m. EST and is expected to remain at -0.1%.

Spain had its credit rating reviewed by Moody’s.

Saturday sees South Carolina hold its Republican primary while the Democrats have a caucus in Nevada