Detailed Overview of Economic Events and Corporate Reporting on 17 September 2025: FOMC Meeting, CPI Data in the UK, Eurozone, and Russia, Bank of Canada's Decision, General Mills Report, and Impact on the Stock Market.
What is Important for Investors Today
Wednesday brings a combination of key macroeconomic indicators and targeted corporate releases. In focus are the FOMC interest rate meeting, inflation (CPI) data from the UK, Eurozone, and Russia, the Bank of Canada's decision, as well as weekly EIA crude oil inventories. The geopolitical agenda is supplemented by news from the European Union, the US, China, and the UK, while Kazan Digital Week kicks off in Russia. Volatility in the evening is likely to increase—be sure to pre-plan entry/exit levels and risk limits.
Today's Calendar (Time — MSK)
- 09:00 — UK: CPI (August)
- 10:30 — ECB President Christine Lagarde's Speech
- 12:00 — Eurozone: CPI (August, final estimate)
- 15:30 — US: Housing Starts (August)
- 16:45 — Canada: Bank of Canada Rate Decision
- 17:30 — US: EIA Crude Oil and Petroleum Products 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 the 19th sanctions package against Russia.
- The US and China conclude a round of trade negotiations in Spain (14-17 September).
- The UK is hosting a delegation of American business; meetings continue from 16 to 18 September.
- A roundtable in Moscow with the Russian foreign minister and heads of diplomatic missions from over 100 countries.
- Kazan Digital Week Forum kicks off (Day 1): IT, AI, industrial digitalisation.
Conclusion: Geopolitical headlines may have a short-term impact on currencies and commodities; it is advisable to form strategic positions based on macro indicators rather than sensational news.
Monetary Policy: US Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada
The evening decisions from North American regulators will set the direction for bond yields, the dollar's exchange rate, and risk appetite. For interest-sensitive stocks (real estate, automotive sector, long-duration technology), not only the magnitude of the change is important but also the rhetoric regarding the future trajectory. Pay attention to the "dot plot" and assessments of inflation and the labour market; hints at the pace and depth of any potential easing or pause during the press conference will be critical.
Inflation: UK, Eurozone, Russia
- UK (CPI): sets the dynamics for the pound and expectations for the Bank of England. Core inflation and service components are crucial.
- Eurozone (CPI): the final estimate will confirm or adjust the price pressure trajectory; the market is assessing room for a more dovish ECB stance.
- Russia (CPI): the release is important for expectations regarding the key rate from the Bank of Russia and the yields on OFZ bonds; pay attention to food and non-food products.
Practical Focus: a slowdown in inflation typically supports long bonds and defensive consumer sectors; acceleration emphasises allocations in "hard currency" and short durations.
Oil Market: EIA Report and Energy Sector
The report on oil and petroleum product inventories traditionally influences Brent/WTI volatility and the stock prices of oil and gas companies. A decrease in commercial inventories supports prices and shares of producers/service companies; an increase exerts pressure on the commodity complex and margins for refiners. Additional signals include dynamics of US production and export/import data.
US (S&P 500): Key Corporate Reports of the Day
- General Mills (GIS) — release before market open. Focus: volumes vs. price increases, demand elasticity, gross margin, comments on cost (grain, logistics), free cash flow trajectory, and distribution policy (dividends, buybacks). The staples sector may react synchronously.
Looking ahead to the week in the US market, there are a limited number of major reports; therefore, macro factors (rates, inflation) dominate the corporate agenda.
Europe, Asia, and Canada: Corporate Agenda
There are few significant releases on this date in the Euro Stoxx 50 and Nikkei 225; the tone is predominantly set by macroeconomic factors. Among other public companies attracting investor attention:
- Cracker Barrel (CBRL, US) — after market close; a gauge of consumer spending outside the home.
- Manchester United (MANU, UK/US) — corporate updates/reports; interest in revenue from transfers, media rights, and commercial agreements.
- Innate Pharma (IPHA, France) — biotech; key comments on clinical programmes 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, the primary focus is on CPI/EECB rhetoric and global rates; corporate releases are secondary and targeted.
Risks and Scenarios of the Day
- Dovish Shift from the Fed: a reduction/benign rhetoric — bullish for "long" stocks, lower UST yields, support for emerging market assets and gold.
- Hawkish Surprise from the Fed: maintaining the rate and/or tough commentary — strengthens the dollar, pressure on the tech sector and commodities.
- Inflation Data Above Expectations: heightened volatility on European markets, rise in short-term yield expectations.
- Geopolitical News: headlines regarding sanctions/negotiations may trigger short-term spikes in currency and oil markets.
Day's Outcomes: What Investors Should Focus On
- The FOMC decision and the tone of the press conference will be the primary driver of cross-asset dynamics.
- The UK and Eurozone CPI will signal the trajectory for the ECB and Bank of England; Russia's CPI will guide expectations regarding the Bank of Russia's next steps.
- The EIA report will provide short-term direction for Brent/WTI and the oil and gas sector equities.
- General Mills may serve as an indicator of resilience in consumer demand and pricing power in staples.
- Risk discipline: ahead of the evening releases, reduce leverage, use stop orders, and establish tolerances for drawdowns.
Overall Tactic: await evening signals from the Fed, maintain a diversified portfolio, and utilise intraday movements for strategic additions to quality assets with a long-term horizon.
