Trump Meets Tech Leaders as CPI Data Looms Fed Decision

Next week, the economic calendar is set to be dominated by two significant events: a meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. tech leaders, and the release of the U.S. February Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. These events are expected to have substantial implications for the U.S. economy and global markets.

The meeting between Trump and U.S. tech leaders is anticipated to focus on various issues, including trade policies, regulatory frameworks, and the future of technology innovation. This gathering comes at a time when the U.S. tech industry is facing increasing scrutiny and regulatory challenges. The discussions are likely to cover topics such as data privacy, intellectual property protection, and the role of technology in national security. The meeting is scheduled for Monday and will include executives from prominent companies such as HP, Intel, IBM, and Qualcomm.

The release of the February CPI data is another critical event on the economic calendar. Economists expect the CPI to have climbed by 0.3% in February. This data will be among the last key pieces of information before the Federal Reserve's next meeting, providing valuable insights into the state of inflation in the U.S. The inflation report will be closely watched by investors and policymakers alike, as it will influence the Fed's decisions on monetary policy. The CPI data is scheduled to be released on Wednesday at 20:30.

The CPI data will also shed light on the broader economic trends, including growth concerns and the impact of trade policies. Last month's January release saw a strong CPI report, which was followed by a solid payrolls report. However, the softer core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) implications from the Producer Price Index (PPI) report took the edge off the hawkish reaction. The details within both the CPI and PPI reports will be crucial, as core PCE printed 'only' 0.285% month-over-month in January.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has indicated that the Fed is well-positioned to wait for greater clarity before making any significant policy changes. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is currently in a media blackout ahead of its March 18-19 meeting. The Fed's Beige Book from March 5 highlighted that prices increased moderately in most districts, with several districts reporting an uptick in the pace of increase relative to the previous reporting period. Input