Global Economic Focus: Helsinki Stock Exchange, US Fed Meeting, and Eurozone Inflation Figures Dominate News Headlines

This week, economic news is taking center stage at the Helsinki Stock Exchange as 23 listed companies prepare to announce their first quarter results. Investors are particularly interested in seeing an improvement in earnings from Nokian Tires. In the United States, all eyes are on the upcoming interest rate meeting of the central bank Fed, scheduled for May Day. Analysts expect the central bank to keep the interest rate unchanged within the range of 5.25–5.50 percent. The Fed’s decision will be announced on Wednesday evening. Before the interest rate decision, a series of key macroeconomic data figures will be published in the US, including the Chicago purchasing managers’ index, consumer confidence scores, private sector vacancies, and more. The current earnings season in the US is also being closely monitored. In the Eurozone, confidence figures for April will be released on Monday, followed by the much-anticipated inflation figures for April on Tuesday. Economists predict an annual inflation rate of 2.3–2.4 percent. The GDP of the euro area for the first quarter will also be revealed on Tuesday, with the March unemployment rate expected on Friday