Wall Street Week Ahead: Fed decision, big tech earnings and Middle East conflict in focus

Wall Street faces a packed week with the US Federal Reserve expected to hold its benchmark rate steady at 3.50%-3.75%, though investors will seek cues on a possible September hike after softer US inflation and employment data. Quarterly results from Magnificent Seven heavyweights Microsoft, Meta, Apple and Amazon, along with Visa, Boeing and Qualcomm, will be closely watched for signals on consumer spending and AI demand. Escalating US-Iran military exchanges have lifted oil prices and bond yields, stoking inflation fears, while the S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq all posted weekly losses of 0.4% to 2.1%.