Comprehensive Overview of Economic Events and Corporate Earnings on September 17, 2025: FOMC Meeting, CPI Data in the UK, Eurozone, and Russia, Bank of Canada Decision, General Mills Report, and Impact on the Stock Market.
What Investors Should Focus on Today
Wednesday brings a combination of key macro indicators and specific corporate releases. The focus is on the FOMC interest rate meeting, inflation (CPI) data in the UK, Eurozone, and Russia, the Bank of Canada's decision, as well as the EIA's weekly oil inventories. Geopolitical headlines are supplemented by news from the European Union, the US, China, and the UK, while Kazan Digital Week kicks off in Russia. Evening volatility is likely to increase—pre-plan your entry/exit levels and risk limits.
Today's Calendar (Time - MSK)
- 09:00 — UK: CPI (August)
- 10:30 — Speech by ECB President Christine Lagarde
- 12:00 — Eurozone: CPI (August, Final Estimate)
- 15:30 — US: Housing Starts (August)
- 16:45 — Canada: Bank of Canada interest rate decision
- 17:30 — US: EIA Oil and Petroleum Inventories
- 17:30 — Canada: Regulator press conference
- 19:00 — Russia: CPI
- 21:00 — US: FOMC interest rate decision
- 21:30 — US: FOMC press conference
Geopolitics and International Agenda
- The European Union is preparing its 19th sanctions package against Russia.
- The US and China are concluding a round of trade negotiations in Spain (September 14–17).
- The UK is hosting an American business delegation; meetings continue from September 16-18.
- Aroundtable discussion in Moscow featuring Russia's Foreign Minister and heads of more than 100 diplomatic missions.
- Kazan Digital Week Forum kicks off (Day 1): IT, AI, industrial digitization.
Conclusion: Geopolitical headlines can have a short-term impact on currencies and commodities; strategic positions should be built on macro indicators rather than noise-driven news.
Monetary Policy: US Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada
Evening decisions from North American regulators will set the direction for bond yields, the US dollar, and risk appetite. For rate-sensitive stocks (real estate, automotive sector, long-duration technology), both the magnitude of changes and the rhetoric on future trajectory are important. Follow the "dot plot" and assessments related to inflation and the labor market; hints regarding the pace and depth of potential easing or pauses during the press conference will be crucial.
Inflation: UK, Eurozone, Russia
- UK (CPI): Sets the pound's dynamics and expectations for the Bank of England. Core inflation and service components are significant.
- Eurozone (CPI): The final estimate will confirm or adjust the trajectory of price pressure; the market is assessing if there is room for a softer ECB stance.
- Russia (CPI): The release is important for expectations regarding the Bank of Russia's key rate and OFZ yields; focus on food and non-food items.
Practical emphasis: A slowdown in inflation typically supports long bonds and defensive consumer sectors; acceleration strengthens the share of "hard currency" and short durations.
Oil Market: EIA Report and Energy Sector
The oil and petroleum inventories report traditionally influences the volatility of Brent/WTI and the quotes of oil and gas companies. A decrease in commercial inventories supports prices and the shares of producers/service companies; an increase exerts pressure on the commodity complex and refiners' margins. Additional signals include dynamics in US production and export/import practices.
US (S&P 500): Key Corporate Reports of the Day
- General Mills (GIS) — Report prior to market open. Focus: volumes vs. price increases, demand elasticity, gross margin, comments on costs (grain, logistics), free cash flow trajectory, and distribution policy (dividends, buybacks). The consumer staples sector may react synchronously.
In the week ahead, there are limited large reports on the US market; hence macro factors (rates, inflation) dominate over corporate narratives.
Europe, Asia, and Canada: Corporate Agenda
In the Euro Stoxx 50 and Nikkei 225 indices, there are few significant releases today; macro factors set the tone. Among other public companies attracting investor attention:
- Cracker Barrel (CBRL, US) — After market close; an indicator of consumer spending outside the home.
- Manchester United (MANU, UK/US) — Corporate updates/earnings; interest in transfer revenue, media rights, and commercial agreements.
- Innate Pharma (IPHA, France) — Biotech; key comments on clinical programs and partnerships.
- Sangoma (Canada) — ICT solutions; metrics on ARR, margins, and customer retention.
- QuantaSing (QSG, China/US) — Online education; dynamics of the paid base and unit economics.
For European and Asian markets today, CPI/ECB rhetoric and global rates are primary; corporate releases are secondary and targeted.
Risks and Scenarios for the Day
- Dovish Fed Turn: A rate cut/soft rhetoric — growth in "long" stocks, decline in UST yields, support for EM assets and gold.
- Hawkish Surprise from the Fed: Keeping rates unchanged and/or tough statements — strengthening dollar, pressure on the tech sector and commodities.
- Inflation Data Above Expectations: Increased volatility in European markets, rise in short-term rate expectations.
- Geopolitical News: Headlines regarding sanctions/negotiations may trigger short-term spikes in currency and oil.
Day's Summary: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- The FOMC decision and tone of the press conference are the key drivers of cross-asset dynamics.
- UK and Eurozone CPI — signals for the trajectory of ECB and Bank of England; Russia's CPI — a guideline for future steps from the Bank of Russia.
- The EIA report — short-term direction for Brent/WTI and the oil and gas sector stocks.
- General Mills — a gauge for consumer demand resilience and pricing power in staples.
- Risk discipline: Prior to evening releases, reduce leverage, use stop orders, and set limits on drawdowns.
Overall strategy: Await evening signals from the Fed, maintain a diversified portfolio, and use intraday movements for selective additions in quality long-term assets.
