Fed blackout period shifts focus to Meta, Tesla earnings and Nvidia GTC Berlin

News Editor

2026-10-18 11:46:07

U.S. markets head into a data- and earnings-heavy week after a sharp pullback in technology stocks, with the Nasdaq down more than 4% last week. Investors are still digesting firmer inflation readings while reassessing the idea that the economy remains resilient. With the Federal Reserve now in its blackout period ahead of the Oct. 28 Federal Open Market Committee meeting, policymakers are no longer providing fresh guidance, leaving market pricing more exposed to incoming corporate results and macro indicators. Attention is centered on earnings from Meta, Tesla, IBM and Lam Research, while semiconductor and memory names also enter a key reporting window. Nvidia’s GTC Berlin conference opens Tuesday, and CEO Jensen Huang is scheduled to deliver a keynote on Wednesday evening Beijing time. On the macro side, traders will watch U.S. crude inventory data, weekly jobless claims, S&P Global PMI readings, and the final University of Michigan consumer sentiment and one-year inflation expectations figures. Japan’s September CPI and October flash PMI data are also due, offering another read on price conditions before the Bank of Japan’s Oct. 30 policy decision. Geopolitical risks remain in view as well, with disruptions to Hormuz shipping and escalating Middle East tensions continuing to support an oil risk premium.

U.S. technology stocks sold off sharply last week, with the Nasdaq falling more than 4% for the week, as markets absorbed firmer inflation data and revisited the narrative that the economy remains hard to knock down, according to BlockBeats.

The Federal Reserve has now entered its blackout period ahead of the Oct. 28 Federal Open Market Committee meeting. With Fed officials no longer speaking publicly for now, this week’s market pricing is set to lean more heavily on Big Tech earnings and fresh activity data. Meta and Tesla are due to report in a concentrated stretch, while semiconductor and memory companies are also entering an earnings window. Friday’s flash PMI readings in the U.S. and Europe, along with the final University of Michigan sentiment data, are expected to serve as a check on the rate path.

Geopolitics and oil remain part of the picture

On the geopolitical front, Trump has paused the implementation of comprehensive sanctions and tariffs on Russia and set an assessment window of about 60 days. At the same time, disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the risk of escalation in the Middle East are still supporting an oil premium.

Key events for the week ahead

Tuesday

Nvidia’s GTC Berlin conference opens and runs through Oct. 22.

Wednesday

The U.S. will release API and EIA crude inventory data for the week ended Oct. 16. On Wednesday evening Beijing time, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at GTC Berlin.

U.S. equities also enter a major earnings session, with Meta, Tesla, IBM and Lam Research set to report after the close.

Thursday

The U.S. will publish weekly initial jobless claims for the week ended Oct. 17. Before the bell, Nokia is due to report earnings. After the close, Western Digital and MaxLinear are scheduled to release results.

Friday

The U.S. will publish October flash S&P Global manufacturing and services PMI data, as well as the final October University of Michigan consumer sentiment index and final one-year inflation expectations.

In Japan, markets will also watch September CPI and October flash composite, manufacturing and services PMI data for clues on price conditions ahead of the Bank of Japan’s Oct. 30 policy decision.

This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan.

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