Investing.com - In the week ahead, market players will be turning their attention to key economic data out of China, with Friday’s second quarter GDP report in the spotlight.
Thursday’s rate decision and monetary policy meeting minutes from the Bank of England will also be in focus, amid mountings expectations the central bank will step up monetary stimulus to counteract the negative economic shock from the Brexit vote.
In the U.S., investors will eye retail sales and inflation data to gauge if the world's largest economy is strong enough to withstand further rate hikes in 2016.
This week also marks the start of the second quarter earnings season in the U.S.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of the five biggest events on the economic calendar that are most likely to affect the markets.
1. China second quarter GDP
China is scheduled to release data on second quarter gross domestic product at 2:00GMT on Friday, or 10:00PM ET, Thursday. The report is expected to show the world's second largest economy grew 6.6% in the three months ended in June, slowing from growth of 6.7% in the preceding quarter, which was the slowest pace in a quarter of a century.
The Asian nation will also publish data on June industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales along with the GDP report.
Additionally, China is to publish trade figures on Wednesday. The Asian nation published weaker than expected inflation data over the weekend, reinforcing views that more government stimulus steps will be needed to support the economy.
2. Bank of England rate decision
The Bank of England will release its rate decision as well as minutes of its Monetary Policy Committee meeting at 11:00GMT, or 07:00AM ET, on Thursday.
Expectations for more easing mounted after BoE Governor Mark Carney recently suggested interest rate cuts and additional stimulus will likely be needed over the summer to offset the hit to the economy from Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
A Reuters survey published last week showed that 17 out of 52 economists polled predicted a cut to 0.25% from the current 0.5%, while another two said rates will be chopped to zero. The remaining two-thirds said the rate would be held steady at 0.5%, with policymakers more likely to wait until August to make any move.
Asked more broadly how the BoE was likely to respond to Brexit, a majority of economists who answered the question thought a combination of lower rates and more asset purchases was likely.
3. U.S. June retail sales report
The Commerce Department will publish data on June retail sales at 12:30GMT, or 08:30AM ET, Friday. The consensus forecast is that the report will show retail sales inched up 0.1% last month, after rising 0.5% in May. Core sales are forecast to increase 0.4%, after gaining 0.4% a month earlier.
Rising retail sales over time correlate with stronger economic growth, while weaker sales signal a declining economy. Consumer spending accounts for as much as 70% of U.S. economic growth.
4. U.S. inflation data for June
The Commerce Department will publish June inflation figures at 12:30GMT, or 8:30AM ET, Friday. Market analysts expect consumer prices to ease up 0.3%, while core inflation is forecast to increase 0.2%.
On a yearly base, core CPI is projected to climb 2.3%. Core prices are viewed by the Federal Reserve as a better gauge of longer-term inflationary pressure because they exclude the volatile food and energy categories. The central bank usually tries to aim for 2% core inflation or less.
Rising inflation would be a catalyst to push the Fed toward raising interest rates.
5. U.S. second quarter earnings season kicks off
The focus on Wall Street will shift to corporate earnings next week after a strong June jobs report on Friday gave investors confidence that the U.S. economy was on stable footing and left the S&P 500 within a whisper of a new closing record high.
Earnings next week are expected from big banks JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), Citigroup (NYSE:C) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) as well as other financial companies such as BlackRock Inc (NYSE:BLK) and PNC Financial Services (NYSE:PNC).
Earnings for the financial sector are expected to drop 5.4% in the second quarter. Financials have been the worst performing of the 10 major S&P sector groups this year, down nearly 6%, as they were hit by reduced expectations for a U.S. interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve and uncertainty in the wake of the vote by Britain to leave the European Union, or "Brexit."
Other notable earnings expected next week include Alcoa (NYSE:AA), Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and CSX Corp (NASDAQ:CSX).
Second quarter earnings overall are expected to decline 4.7%, the fourth straight quarter of negative earnings.
Stay up-to-date on all of this week's economic events by visiting: http://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/