A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week SPOTLIGHT ON HOUSINGThe National Association of Realtors releases its monthly snapshot of existing U.S. home sales Wednesday. Economists project that sales of previously occupied homes slowed slightly in April from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.18 million homes. The spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start this year as home shoppers contend with elevated mortgage rates and rising prices. Existing home sales, in millions, seasonally adjusted annual rate: Nov. 3.91 Dec. 3.88 Jan. 4.00 Feb. 4.38 March 4.19 April (est.) 4.18 Source: FactSet FED CLOSE-UPThe Federal Reserve delivers the minutes from its most recent interest rate policy meeting Wednesday. At that meeting, Fed officials emphasized that inflation has remained stubbornly high in recent months and said the central bank doesn’t plan to cut interest rates until it has greater confidence that price increases are slowing sustainably to its 2% target. Several hotter-than-expected reports on prices and economic growth have recently undercut the Fed’s belief that inflation was steadily easing. |
China initiates program to boost employment among college graduatesChinese researchers uncover secrets behind adult fireflies' light organsNetflix fans go wild over 'must watch' new drama and say they 'need' a second season 'right now'Production base of China's large civil unmanned aerial vehicle Wing Loong in SichuanChinese scientists achieve breakthrough in biosynthesis of anticancer drug paclitaxelChinese scientists develop ultrastrong, high thermal insulating ceramicsBaidu strongly denies rumor of link between its AI tool and China’s military researchMegan Fox shows off new blue hair as she arrives to Coachella party in Daisy Dukes and sexy thighTraditional Chinese MidLonggupo Site starts fifth stage of excavation in Wushan County, SW China