Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day: Americas

Good morning. Investors will have to navigate a data vacuum before next week’s Fed decision on interest rates. Plus, a rate hike is in play in Japan and Bitcoin fervor is losing steam. Here’s what people are talking about. — Sofia Horta e Costa

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It’s been a busy week for economic data in the US as the market gears up for what the Federal Reserve will say next Wednesday. Inflation and unemployment reports have given officials more reasons to hold off on cutting interest rates, pushing Treasury yields higher in recent days. The adjustment means markets and the Fed are now on the same page when it comes to rate cuts — more on that from Kristine below. With no significant data prints on the calendar before the Fed meets to decide on interest rates and release its dot plot, markets may tread water as investors assess the outlook with the information gathered this week. S&P 500 futures and the dollar are slightly up to start the day, while Treasuries are flat.