Important Market Events From May 5–10, 2025

Monday, May 5, 2025

• Economic data: Global services-sector activity and inflation data kick off the week. The U.S. ISM non-manufacturing (services) PMI for April is due (consensus around 50.6), and Switzerland will release April CPI data (year-on-year inflation expected near 3.0%). Other releases include Indonesia’s Q1 GDP, Singapore retail sales (Mar), Turkey CPI (Apr) and Israel interest rate decision (no change expected). Several Asian and European markets are closed for holidays (China, Japan, South Korea, UK).

• Central banks: No policy meetings, but Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks on Monday at the University of Chicago’s Booth School Monetary Policy Forumcmegroup.com. Traders will look for his comments on the U.S. economy and Fed policy. The Bank of Japan and Swiss National Bank are on hold from recent decisions.

• Earnings: Corporate reports include major U.S. companies. Ford Motor (F) will report Q1 results after the close, and Tyson Foods (TSN), Cummins (CMI) and BioNTech (BNTX) report in the morning. Semiconductor firm Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and software maker Palantir (PLTR) wrap up their quarters with after-hours results. These companies’ results could sway the auto, industrial and tech sectors. Notable names like Tyson and Cummins are forecast to earn around $0.83 and $4.91 per share, respectively.

• Geopolitical/Other: Markets will also watch U.S. President Trump’s trade/tariff announcements (continuing trade tensions could influence markets) and the ongoing UK bank holiday (London markets reopen on Tuesday).

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

• Economic data: Europe and North America see key releases. Germany’s final services-sector PMI for April will be reported (on Cobrab/ISM gauge), along with Eurozone retail sales (Mar). In North America, the U.S. March trade balance and Canada’s March trade figures are releasedspglobal.com. U.S. import prices and private-sector data (ADP jobs estimate) may also attract attention.

• Central banks: The Federal Reserve begins its two-day FOMC meeting on May 6–7. No policy action is expected, but markets will parse the outlook for inflation and growth. The Bank of Canada, Bank of Mexico and Swiss National Bank remain on hold from their recent meetings.

• Earnings: Tech and industrial companies report. AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) and Palantir release after-market results on Tuesday, drawing scrutiny on semiconductor and data sector strength. Other reporters include industrial firms like ABB and consumer companies like The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM). This cluster of technology and manufacturing earnings could move Nasdaq and Dow components.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

• Economic data: The highlight is the Federal Open Market Committee rate decision (2:00 p.m. ET). The Fed is widely expected to leave rates unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%reuters.com, but traders will focus on the post-meeting statement and Chair Powell’s press conference (2:30 p.m.). U.S. consumer credit for March is also released at 3:00 p.m., but Fed commentary will dominate market moves. Europe sees Eurozone industrial production (Mar) and the Bank of England’s quarterly inflation report (previous report).

• Central banks: The Fed will hold steady (as analysts expect) and provide updated guidance. There are no ECB or BOJ meetings this week. Later in the day, ECB officials gather in Lisbon for an annual retreat (no formal policy decision).

• Earnings: Walt Disney (DIS) reports fiscal Q2 before the U.S. open. Disney’s results and outlook (especially parks and media revenue) can sway the entertainment sector. Other large-cap reports include Ford (one of Q1’s largest auto companies, though reporting on Monday) and U.S. airline and energy firms. In small caps, chipmaker MaxLinear (MXL) reports, and oil services firm Transocean (RIG) publishes results.

• Speeches/Events: After the Fed meeting, Powell will answer questions at his press conference. Investors will also note Fed Vice Chair Lisa Cook’s remarks at an economic conference, and Fed Governor Christopher Waller’s panel discussion – but these are overshadowed by the Fed decision.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

• Economic data: The Bank of England announces its policy decision (around 7:00 a.m. ET). Markets expect a 25 bp cut to 4.25% amid slowing growth and imported inflation pressures. U.S. data include weekly jobless claims (Apr 30) and the first estimate of Q1 productivity. Other releases: Swiss credit (Mar) and Eurozone construction output (Mar).

• Central banks: The BoE is likely to cut rates, as noted. The Fed on Wednesday reaffirmed patience, but traders will watch BoE guidance for global policy cues. No other major central bank meetings.

• Earnings: Energy and industrial companies report ahead of the U.S. open. Notable names: ConocoPhillips (COP) and Chesapeake Energy (CHK) both report before the bell (COP’s EPS was ~$2.05 last quarter). Consumer cyclicals: Crocs (CROX) and Crocs’ Scandinavian rival VPG. Electronics and software: EPAM Systems (EPAM) also before the bell. In summary, some large U.S. tech and energy firms will provide fresh updates, influencing those sectors.

• Speeches/Events: No major Fed speakers. UK markets resume trading after Monday’s holiday. The OPEC+ meeting in Vienna is set for May 10–11 (two-day summit expected), which may start to draw attention ahead of the weekend.

Friday, May 9, 2025

• Economic data: Weekend releases: China reports April trade figures (exports, imports) at 6:00 p.m. ETspglobal.com, closely watched for global demand trends. Japan posts household spending (Mar). Europe sees Italy and the UK release March industrial production. Canada reports April employment/unemployment (likely midday). These will cap the week’s data; Chinese trade will be most market-moving.

• Central banks: No meetings. Investors may focus on written remarks from Bank of Japan (BoJ) or European officials, but none are scheduled for today.

• Earnings: Major reports after the close: Enbridge (ENB) and Pembina Pipeline (PBA) in energy, Sun Life Financial (SLF) in finance, and Algonquin Power (AQN) in utilities. With oil and currency trends, energy mid-caps could react. Smaller tech and biotech companies round out the calendar.

• Speeches/Events: Several Fed Governors speak at conferences: Governors Lisa Cook and John Williams (New York Fed) are on a May 9 panel at Stanford’s Hoover conference, and Fed Governor Adriana Kugler speaks in Iceland – but these are mostly background noise. No Fed Chair speech is scheduled.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

• Economic data: Mainland China releases April CPI and PPI data. CPI inflation (expected ~1.2% YoY) and factory-gate prices will give the final data readout of the weekspglobal.com. U.S. markets are closed; these Asian data will set the tone for Monday’s open.

• Other: The week’s corporate calendar is over. Markets will begin digesting Monday’s big events (Fed and BoE outcomes, Disney/Amd earnings) over the weekend.

Weekly Summary

The week’s most critical events include major central bank policy outcomes and headline corporate earnings. The Federal Reserve’s May 6–7 meeting is the highlight: Fed watchers expect no rate change (holding 4.25%–4.50%)reuters.com but scrutinize the statement and Powell’s post-meeting press conference for future guidance. On Thursday, the Bank of England is poised to cut rates by 25 bps to 4.25%, potentially setting the tone for other central banks. In Asia, China’s April trade data (exports and imports) on Friday evening will be closely watched for signs of global demand.

On the corporate front, big-tech and consumer firms dominate. Disney’s earnings (Wed.) and AMD’s results (Tue. PM) could move the market’s sectors: Disney’s guidance for media and parks, and AMD’s outlook for chips, are key reads. Other notable reports include Ford’s Q1 (Mon.), Palantir’s (Mon.), and energy giants ConocoPhillips and Enbridge. Finally, inflation and activity gauges like the ISM Services PMI (Monday) and German Services PMI (Tue.) provide a temperature check on economies. These combined data points and policy meetings will likely dictate market trends in the week aheadreuters.com.

Sources: Economic calendars and market reportsreuters.comspglobal.comcmegroup.com (multiple citations as noted) were used to identify and confirm the above scheduled events.