Business week ahead, Sept. 24-28

Several key reports on real estate activity are expected this... — Several key reports on real estate activity are expected this week. Credit: James Carbone

By Peter KingSpecial to NewsdaySeptember 21, 2018

KEY EVENT: Four below 4 percent? Long Island’s 3.9 percent jobless rate in July marked the third straight month the local unemployment rate was below 4 percent — the longest streak in 11 years. Will this trend continue? The answer comes Tuesday when the state Labor Department releases Long Island unemployment data for August.

MONDAY: An update on U.S. economic activity in August from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

TUESDAY: Two housing reports: S&P Case Shiller home prices and the Federal Housing Finance Agency single-family home prices, both for July. Earnings: soccer team owner Manchester United, Nike.

WEDNESDAY: Will the Fed raise rates? That decision will be announced as the Federal Reserve ends a two-day meeting. After the announcement, Fed chairman Jerome Powell holds a news conference. Also, August new-home sales from the Commerce Department. Earnings: CarMax, Bed Bath & Beyond.

THURSDAY: Jobless benefits claims for the week ended Sept. 22 from the U.S. Labor Department. Also, the third and final estimate of second-quarter GDP from the Commerce Department. Earnings: Accenture, Hunt’s tomato products owner ConAgra, spice maker McCormick, Rite Aid.

FRIDAY: Personal income and spending for August from the U.S. Labor Department. Earnings: Port Washington drugmaker Aceto, BlackBerry, Vail Resorts.