Day Ahead: Top 3 Things to Watch

Investing.com - Here’s a preview of the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow

1. All Eyes on Fed's Rate Hike Outlook, Powell

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) releases its decision on monetary policy, accompanied by its Summary of Economic projections on interest rates, inflation, unemployment and economic growth (GDP) at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Investors expect the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will raise rates by 0.25% to 1.75% to 2.00%.

The “dot plot,” – which shows where each FOMC member in the meeting thinks interest rates are heading at the end of the year for the next few years and in the longer run – is expected to garner the most investor attention.

In March, the Fed’s “dot plot” indicated the median forecast was for a total of three rate hikes in 2018, however, a recent string of bullish economic data has raised the prospect of a fourth rate hike for 2018.

RBC said it expected the Federal Reserve median forecast to shift to four rate hikes in 2018.

Investors are also expected to carefully monitor comments from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell press conference for further clues on monetary policy.

Ahead of the FOMC decision on interest rates, the dollar inched higher against its rivals.

2. U.S. Crude Oil Stockpiles in Focus

A fresh batch of inventory data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. ET is expected to show crude supplies fell last week.

Analysts forecast crude inventories fell by about 2.744 million barrels in the week ended June 8.

Crude oil futures settled 36 cents higher at $66.10 on Tuesday despite reports showing OPEC increased output in May, led by a ramp up in output from Saudi Arabia.

3. AT&T, Time Warner Merger Ruling Gets Green Light

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ruled in favour of the AT&T and Time Warner merger, ending a prolonged period of uncertainty as to whether the deal would go through.

With the deal approved, AT&T is expected to wrap up its $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner in less than a week.

The approval of the merger will likely spark action across the media sector amid a number of merger and rumoured mergers in the pipeline including Disney 's deal for Twenty-First Century Fox Inc A (NASDAQ:FOXA).

Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) bid for Fox's assets, however, is expected to come under pressure as Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:CMCSA) reportedly plans to start a bidding a war.

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Shares of Time Warner Inc (NYSE:TWX) rose 5.40% to $101.42 in after-hours trade, while shares of AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) fell 0.12% higher at $34.31.