Week Ahead: Earnings and FOMC Interest Rate Decision in Focus

Next week sets up as one of the busiest stretches of the fall for investors, with the Federal Reserve announcement, major economic data, and a heavy slate of corporate earnings all competing for attention.

The highlight comes Wednesday, when the FOMC delivers its latest interest-rate decision. With monetary policy back in focus, investors will be listening closely to the Fed’s guidance for clues about the path of rates into year-end. Expectations of a rate hike have fallen sharply this month with only a 10% probability of a 25-basis-point hike, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The macro calendar also includes September durable-goods orders and consumer confidence Tuesday, followed later in the week by the first estimate of third-quarter U.S. GDP and inflation data, including PCE, giving markets another read on the balance between economic growth and inflation.

Corporate earnings will also be in focus, particularly for major technology stocks. Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL) report Wednesday after the closing bell, just hours after the Fed decision. Amazon (AMZN) follows Thursday afternoon, while other prominent reports during the week include Coca-Cola (KO), Boeing (BA), Visa (V), Seagate (STX), Eli Lilly (LLY), ExxonMobil (XOM), and Chevron (CVX).

The combination of the Fed, GDP, inflation data, and major tech earnings could provide additional volatility next week. Beyond the headline earnings numbers, investors will likely focus heavily on corporate guidance, AI capital spending and growth, while the economic releases and Fed commentary could determine the next move in Treasury yields and rate-sensitive stocks.

For more video clips discussing the Federal Reserve, and earnings reports, see

• Fed Watch | Schwab Network
• Earnings | Schwab Network

Economic Data (ET) for Week of Oct. 26, 2026

Monday, October 26

• 08:30 AM: Chicago Fed National Activity Index
• 09:30 AM: Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey
• 01:00 PM: 2-Year Note Auction

Tuesday, October 27

• FOMC Meeting Begins
• 08:30 AM: Durable Goods Orders
• 09:00 AM: FHFA House Price Index
• 09:00 AM: Case-Shiller Home Price Index
• 10:00 AM: New Home Sales
• 10:00 AM: Consumer Confidence
• 01:00 PM: 5-Year Note Auction

Wednesday, October 28

• 07:00 AM: MBA Mortgage Applications
• 08:30 AM: International Trade in Goods
• 08:30 AM: Retail/Wholesale Inventories
• 02:00 PM: FOMC Announcement
• 02:30 PM: Fed Chair Warsh Press Conference

Thursday, October 29

• 08:30 AM: Weekly Jobless Claims
• 08:30 AM: GDP
• 08:30 AM: Personal Income & Outlays
• 01:00 PM: 7-Year Note Auction

Friday, October 30

• 08:30 AM: Employment Cost Index
• 09:45 AM: Chicago PMI

Major Earnings for Week of Oct. 26, 2026

Monday, October 26:

• Premarket: VZ
• Postmarket: CDNS, NUE

Tuesday, October 27:

• Premarket: BA, GLW, JBLU, KO, PYPL, RCL, RGEN, UPS
• Postmarket: CZR, FFIV, NXPI, SKHY, STX, V, WM

Wednesday, October 28:

• Premarket: BIIB, CHRW, EAT, ETSY, GEHC, GEV, VFC
• Postmarket: CMG, CVNA, EBAY, F, FDX, FTNT, GOOGL, KLAC, MSFT, NOW, TMUS

Thursday, October 29:

• Premarket: CAT, DHI, HSY, LLY, MA, MRK, NCLH, QSR
• Postmarket: AMZN, GILD, INTC, RDDT, SBUX, SNDK, TWLO

Friday, October 30:

• Premarket: ABBV, BP, CL, CVX, GD, XOM
• Postmarket: N/A

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a personalized recommendation or investment advice. Investors should review investment strategies for their own particular situations before making any decisions.

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Data contained herein is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. All events and times listed are subject to change without notice.