Heavyweight News Week Ahead: Bank of Japan and Federal Reserve Successively Announce Interest Rate Decisions, 5 out of the Big 7 US Tech Giants to Release Earnings Reports, Latest Employment Data from US Department of Labor Released

April 27 – This week is packed with high-stakes events: all G7 nations hold central bank meetings, while 42% of S&P 500 companies by market cap release earnings (including five of the seven big tech giants). Even ignoring potential Iran conflict risks, the week will be eventful. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) kicks off central bank action Tuesday with its rate decision, followed by Governor Kuroda’s press conference. Next up: the Federal Reserve (Fed) and Bank of Canada (BoC) on Wednesday (early Thursday in Beijing). The European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England (BoE) announce their rate calls Thursday. All are expected to hold rates steady—but the key question is how each will tailor policy to conflicts and linked stagflation risks. Big tech earnings roll in too: Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta release Q1 results post-U.S. market close Wednesday (early Thursday Beijing). Apple reports Thursday at 5:00 AM Beijing time. Deutsche Bank economists note the Fed’s meaningful guidance shift will likely wait until June—this week is Chair Powell’s last meeting before his term ends. But communication could tilt slightly hawkish: either via wording tweaks (e.g., “additional policy adjustments”) or Powell signaling a more symmetrical take on the Fed’s dual mandate risks. Explicitly stating price stability and employment risks are now more balanced would likely be seen as a less dovish signal. Beyond central bank meetings, key data hits Thursday: the Personal Income and Spending report (with initial jobless claims and core PCE). Here’s the Beijing time schedule for top events: - 2:00 AM: Fed FOMC rate decision - 2:30 AM: Fed Chair Powell press conference - 4:30 AM: Alphabet earnings call - 5:30 AM: Microsoft, Amazon, Meta earnings calls - 8:15 PM: ECB rate decision - 8:30 PM: U.S. Q1 advance GDP (q/q annualized) + latest jobless claims data