The Week Ahead: Markets Focus on FOMC Decision, Jobs Data, and Earnings This Week

Market Overview

U.S. equities advanced last week, with the Dow closing at 47,955 (+0.5%), the S&P 500 at 6,870 (+0.3%), and the Nasdaq at 23,578 (+0.9%). Year-to-date, gains remain broad, led by the Nasdaq at 22.1%, followed by the S&P 500 at 16.8% and the Dow at 12.7%.

Markets enter the week focused squarely on the December FOMC meeting. With futures implying high conviction for another 25 bps rate cut, traders will concentrate on the updated economic projections and the Fed’s messaging on inflation and labor trends.

Labor conditions remain mixed. Forecasts for November point to slower hiring and a marginal rise in unemployment, reinforcing expectations of additional easing into early 2026. JOLTS data and jobless claims will help refine the near-term view.

Seasonal factors also come into play. With markets historically firm in late December, traders are watching whether positive momentum can extend into the final sessions of the year.

Economic Releases & Notable Earnings

Monday, Dec 8
Before the Open:
• No reports scheduled
Economic Releases:
• No releases scheduled
After the Close:
• Compass Minerals (CMP), est. $0.25
• Phreesia (PHR), est. $0.00
• Toll Brothers (TOL), est. $4.88

Tuesday, Dec 9
Before the Open:
• Academy Sports + Outdoors (ASO), est. $1.07
• AutoZone (AZO), est. $32.79
• Caleres (CAL), est. $0.85
• Campbell Soup (CPB), est. $0.73
• Core & Main (CNM), est. $0.73
• Ferguson (FERG), est. $2.64
• G-III Apparel (GIII), est. $1.60
• Korn/Ferry (KFY), est. $1.31
• Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (OLLI), est. $0.73
• SailPoint (SAIL), est. $0.06
Economic Releases:
• ADP Weekly Employment Change
• JOLTS Job Openings, 7.23M
• 10:00 GMT – JOLTS Job Openings, 7.14M
After the Close:
• AeroVironment (AVAV), est. $0.78
• Braze (BRZE), est. $0.06
• Casey’s General (CASY), est. $5.19
• Cracker Barrel (CBRL), est. -$0.75
• Dave & Buster’s (PLAY), est. -$1.05
• GameStop (GME), est. $0.20

Wednesday, Dec 10
Before the Open:
• Chewy (CHWY), est. $0.12
• Hello Group (MOMO), est. $1.87
• Photronics (PLAB), est. $0.45
• Uranium Energy (UEC), est. -$0.01
Economic Releases:
• 13:30 GMT – Employment Cost Index q/q, forecast 0.9% (prior 0.9%)
• 19:00 GMT – Federal Funds Rate, forecast 4.00% (prior 3.75%)
• FOMC Statement, Economic Projections
• 19:30 GMT – FOMC Press Conference
After the Close:
• Oracle (ORCL), est. $1.64
• Adobe (ADBE), est. $5.40
• NANO Nuclear Energy (NNE), est. -$0.41
• Nordson (NDSN), est. $2.93
• Oxford Industries (OXM), est. -$0.95
• Planet Labs (PL), est. -$0.03
• Synopsys (SNPS), est. $2.78
• Vail Resorts (MTN), est. -$5.22

Thursday, Dec 11
Before the Open:
• Ciena (CIEN), est. $0.77
• Lovesac (LOVE), est. -$0.69
Economic Releases:
• 13:30 GMT – Unemployment Claims, forecast 191K (prior 221K)
After the Close:
• Costco (COST), est. $4.27
• Lululemon (LULU), est. $2.21
• Netskope (NTSK), est. -$0.25

Friday, Dec 12
Before the Open:
• No reports scheduled
Economic Releases:
• No releases scheduled
After the Close:
• No reports scheduled

Central Bank Activity

Wednesday’s Fed decision is the week’s key event. Traders expect a cut, but the tone of the statement and Powell’s comments will set expectations for early-2026 policy. Any indication of a higher bar for future cuts could influence near-term equity appetite.

Technical Outlook

Weekly Dow Jones Industrial Average Index

Dow Jones: 47,955.00 (+0.50%), support at 45,728.93, 45,452.03 and 52-week moving average at 43,923.26 then resistance at 48,431.57.

Weekly Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC)

Nasdaq: 23,578.13 (+0.91%), support at 21,898.29, 20,905.99, 20,560.17 and 52-week moving average at 20,237.37 then resistance at 24,019.99.

Weekly S&P 500 Index (SPX)

S&P 500: 6,870.40 (+0.31%), support at 6,521.92, 6,360.58, 6,212.69 and 52-week moving average at 6,153.12 then resistance at 6,920.34.

All major indices remain above rising 52-week SMAs, confirming an intact uptrend.

Outlook

The FOMC sets this week’s direction. With markets expecting easing, the committee’s tone around inflation and labor trends will determine whether confidence carries into year-end.

Labor data will supply additional context. Job openings and claims will help shape expectations for December’s employment report, a key factor in how the Fed assesses slack.

If policy communication aligns with expectations and data remain steady, the indices’ firm technical backdrop leaves room for buyers to maintain control into mid-December.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.