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Focus on GTC 2026! What signals did Jensen Huang's speech send?
富途资讯
joined discussion · Mar 15 16:53 ·

Week Ahead | A Super Heavyweight Week! Global Focus on the Middle East Conflict; The Federal Reserve Leads the 'Central Bank Super Week'; GTC & OFC Tech Conferences Approaching; Earnings Reports from Tencent, Alibaba, Micron Technology and Other Giants to Be Released

The global market will see a series of major events in the coming week. The conflict involving the US, Iran, and Israel has entered its third week. Investors are closely watching the impact of the Middle East conflict on rate cut expectations for the Federal Reserve and other central banks, as well as how the latest developments in the Iran war may affect markets. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is leading the 'Global Central Bank Super Week,' with NVIDIA's GTC conference coinciding with earnings reports from large tech firms such as Alibaba.
Key Schedule Highlights
– Bombardment by Seven Major Central Banks! Will the Federal Reserve Stay Put?
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in Iran triggering a spike in oil prices and creating ripple effects across global asset classes, Federal Reserve policymakers will convene a meeting at 3:00 AM Beijing time on March 19. The central banks of Japan and Europe will also announce interest rate decisions on the same day.The market expects the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged, but the updated dot plot may show only one rate cut within the year, which is a significant adjustment from previous market expectations.
Over the course of the two-day meeting, Fed officials will assess the impact of this energy shock on inflation and economic growth, and the Federal Reserve will release its latest economic forecasts. Currently, due to the war-related factors, market expectations for rate cuts this year have significantly cooled, while anticipation of rate cuts had been an important factor supporting bullish sentiment in the stock market.
Japan and Europe’s central banks might remain on hold this time, but price risks brought by rising energy costs could bring the option of a Japanese rate hike in April back into play. Economists at Citi and Deutsche Bank have adjusted their forecasts for the Reserve Bank of Australia, predicting that it will raise interest rates next week.
At the same time, central banks from Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Sweden, Switzerland, and Russia will also consecutively announce interest rate decisions next week, posing a major test for foreign exchange and bond markets.
– China and the US to hold sixth round of economic and trade talks in Paris
On March 13, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the date and location of the sixth round of China-US economic and trade consultations. According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, after mutual agreement between China and the US, He Lifeng, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, will lead a delegation to France from March 14 to 17 for economic and trade consultations with the US side. Guided by the important consensus reached during the leaders’ meeting in Busan and past phone calls, both sides will engage in discussions on trade issues of mutual concern.
– Back to AI as the main theme? GTC Conference & OFC Conference to be held soon
Next week, $NVIDIA (NVDA.US)$ The GPU Technology Conference (GTC) will showcase the next-generation chip architecture, while the co-located Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) will focus on advances in optical interconnect technology. Optical interconnects, known for high bandwidth, low loss, and low latency, are used to support communications between GPU clusters.
GTC Conference: To be held from March 16 to March 19, Pacific Time.
OFC Conference: Scheduled to take place from March 15 to March 19, US West Coast Time.
The global market will see a series of major events in the coming week. The conflict involving the US, Iran, and Israel has entered its third week. Investors are closely watching the impact of the Middle East conflict on rate cut expectations for the Federal Reserve and other central banks, as well as how the latest developments in the Iran war may affect markets. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is leading the 'Global Central Bank Super Week,' with NVIDIA's GTC conference coinciding with earnings reports from large tech firms such as Alibaba. Key Schedule Highlights – Bombardment by Seven Major Central Banks! Will the Federal Reserve Stay Put? Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in Iran driving oil prices higher and triggering a chain reaction across global assets, Federal Reserve policymakers will convene a meeting in the early hours of March 19 Beijing time. On the same day, central banks in Japan and Europe will also announce interest rate decisions.The market expects the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged, but the updated dot plot may indicate only one rate cut within the year, which would mark a significant scaling back from previous market expectations. During the two-day meeting, Federal Reserve officials will assess the impact of this energy shock on inflation and economic growth, and the Fed will release its latest economic forecasts. Due to the ongoing war, market expectations for rate cuts this year have significantly cooled, whereas anticipation of rate cuts had previously been an important factor supporting bullish sentiment in the stock market. The central banks of Japan and Europe may also remain on hold during this period, but price risks driven by rising energy costs could bring the option of a rate hike in Japan back onto the table for April. Economists from Citi and Deutsche Bank...
Further Reading:Will the main theme of the US stock market return to AI? GTC and OFC conferences are approaching next week; these key sectors are a must-know!
In a research report released this Monday, Bank of America pointed out that as artificial intelligence workloads impose higher performance demands on traditional copper conductors, the optical interconnect market is expected to grow fourfold to USD 73 billion by 2030. BofA analyst Vivek Arya expects NVIDIA to lead this transformation, potentially becoming the first integrated system supplier to replace traditional copper-based server backplanes with CPO (Co-Packaged Optics).This shift will bring light-speed connectivity directly into processors.
Additionally, Orient Securities noted that NVIDIA's GTC conference is about to convene, with expectations for the unveiling of the new VeraRubin platform and updates on the next-generation Feynman architecture. The VR platform is expected to adopt microchannel cold plate technology, which could drive higher demand for liquid cooling compared to the GB300 platform, further boosting the value of liquid cooling systems. As NVIDIA, Google, and others raise shipment forecasts and demand for chip cooling rises, domestic suppliers entering overseas manufacturers' supply chains are anticipated to continue benefiting from development opportunities.
– Next week, major earnings reports are set to be released, featuring Tencent, Alibaba, Micron Technology, and Zijin Mining.
In the coming week, Hong Kong-listed tech giants will enter a dense period of earnings releases. $TENCENT (00700.HK)$、 $BABA-W (09988.HK)$、 $CHINA UNICOM (00762.HK)$、  $ZIJIN MINING (02899.HK)$ 、 $XPENG-W (09868.HK)$ 、 $GEELY AUTO (00175.HK)$ Several Hong Kong-listed companies will disclose their financial results. Concurrently in the US, multiple companies including $Micron Technology (MU.US)$、 $Lululemon Athletica (LULU.US)$ 、 $FedEx (FDX.US)$ and $Accenture (ACN.US)$ will announce their latest quarterly performances.
Market attention on Tencent and Alibaba is focused on overseas gaming expansion and cloud business growth. Goldman Sachs expects Tencent's total revenue in Q4 to increase by 13% year-over-year, with adjusted EBIT growing by 16%. Revenue from fintech and enterprise services, driven by accelerated cloud business growth, is projected to rise by 10%. For Alibaba, despite a RMB 23 billion investment drag in the instant retail sector leading to a 50% decline in the group’s adjusted EBITA, its cloud business profit margin is expected to stabilize at 9.0%.
The release of US stock earnings reports has entered a relatively calm phase, and the NVIDIA conference will become a new driving force for the US stock market. After the US stock market closes on Wednesday, Micron Technology, a semiconductor memory giant and a key supplier of AI infrastructure, will disclose its quarterly results. Its report will test whether the strong momentum in data center and memory demand continues.
– The impact of the Iran situation on the commodities market continues
Despite transportation disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the International Energy Agency (IEA) releasing strategic reserves, and the United States taking temporary measures to allow countries to purchase Russian oil already at sea to increase global supply, both major crude benchmarks rose for a fourth consecutive week.
All 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves, but market concerns do not seem to have eased significantly. US Treasury Secretary Bessent called for the formation of an international coalition to escort tankers through the strait as soon as military conditions permit. However, Iran’s new leader has vowed to continue blocking this shipping lane.
Swissquote Bank analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya believes that 'hastily introduced measures are unlikely to ease market pressure.' Analysts at ANZ Bank stated: 'The US dollar is strengthening due to its safe-haven attributes, especially as rising oil prices benefit the US as a net energy exporter. Growing market concerns about the Federal Reserve's rate-cutting path suggest that higher oil prices increase the likelihood of inflationary pressures returning.'
Key earnings calendar for the new week
The global market will see a series of major events in the coming week. The conflict involving the US, Iran, and Israel has entered its third week. Investors are closely watching the impact of the Middle East conflict on rate cut expectations for the Federal Reserve and other central banks, as well as how the latest developments in the Iran war may affect markets. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is leading the 'Global Central Bank Super Week,' with NVIDIA's GTC conference coinciding with earnings reports from large tech firms such as Alibaba. Key Schedule Highlights – Bombardment by Seven Major Central Banks! Will the Federal Reserve Stay Put? Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in Iran driving oil prices higher and triggering a chain reaction across global assets, Federal Reserve policymakers will convene a meeting in the early hours of March 19 Beijing time. On the same day, central banks in Japan and Europe will also announce interest rate decisions.The market expects the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged, but the updated dot plot may indicate only one rate cut within the year, which would mark a significant scaling back from previous market expectations. During the two-day meeting, Federal Reserve officials will assess the impact of this energy shock on inflation and economic growth, and the Fed will release its latest economic forecasts. Due to the ongoing war, market expectations for rate cuts this year have significantly cooled, whereas anticipation of rate cuts had previously been an important factor supporting bullish sentiment in the stock market. The central banks of Japan and Europe may also remain on hold during this period, but price risks driven by rising energy costs could bring the option of a rate hike in Japan back onto the table for April. Economists from Citi and Deutsche Bank...
Further Reading:[Prize Giveaway] A Gathering of Giants! Tencent, Alibaba, and Micron Take Center Stage – A Quick Recap of Earnings Week (March 16-20)
Monday (March 16)
Keywords: China’s January-February economic data, Leapmotor/ Q Technology earnings report
In terms of economic data,China will announce housing price data for 70 large and medium-sized cities at 10:00.Year-on-year data for China’s January-February total retail sales of consumer goods and industrial output of enterprises above designated sizeThe US will release the New York Fed Manufacturing Index for March at 20:30, and the US industrial production month-over-month rate for February at 21:15.
In terms of financial events,The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the operation of the national economy.
In terms of earnings, $SINOPEC SSC (01033.HK)$ 、 $Q TECH (01478.HK)$ 、 $LEAPMOTOR (09863.HK)$ Some Hong Kong stocks will announce earnings reports, in addition, US stocks $KE Holdings (BEKE.US)$ 、 $Dollar Tree (DLTR.US)$ 、 $21Vianet (VNET.US)$ Will announce earnings before the US stock market opens. $Semtech (SMTC.US)$ will announce earnings after the US stock market closes.
Tuesday (March 17)
Keywords: LULU/OKLO/Kingdee International earnings
In terms of economic data,At 11:30, the Reserve Bank of Australia will announce its interest rate decision, while the US will release the Pending Home Sales Index month-over-month rate for February at 22:00, including the US Pending Home Sales Index month-over-month rate for February.
In terms of earnings, $KINGDEE INT'L (00268.HK)$ 、 $CHINA LIT (00772.HK)$ Some Hong Kong stocks will announce earnings reports, in addition, US stocks $GDS Holdings (GDS.US)$ 、 $Elbit Systems (ESLT.US)$ 、 $Tencent Music (TME.US)$ Will announce earnings before the US stock market opens. $Lululemon Athletica (LULU.US)$ 、 $Oklo Inc (OKLO.US)$ Will announce earnings after the US stock market closes.
Wednesday (March 18)
Keywords: Tencent/Micron Technology performance, US PPI for February
In terms of economic data, the US will release the Producer Price Index (PPI) year-over-year and month-over-month rates for February at 20:30., the Bank of Canada will announce its interest rate decision as of March 18 at 21:45, and the US EIA crude oil inventory for the week ending March 13 will be released at 22:30.
In terms of earnings, $TENCENT (00700.HK)$ 、 $GEELY AUTO (00175.HK)$ 、 $CHINA TOWER (00788.HK)$ Hong Kong stocks such as [company names] will release earnings reports. Additionally, US stocks $Macy's (M.US)$ 、 $Jabil (JBL.US)$ 、 $General Mills (GIS.US)$ Will announce earnings before the US stock market opens. $Micron Technology (MU.US)$ 、 $Red Cat Holdings (RCAT.US)$ Will announce earnings after the US stock market closes.
Thursday (March 19)
Keywords: Federal Reserve, European Central Bank interest rate decisions, Alibaba/Friendship Insurance performance
In terms of economic data, the US will announce the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision as of March 18 at 02:00,the number of initial jobless claims in the US for the week ending March 14 (in ten thousands), and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index for March will be released at 20:30,the European Central Bank will announce its interest rate decision at 21:15。
In terms of financial events, Federal Reserve Chair Powell will hold a press conference on monetary policy at 02:30,Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will hold a press conference on monetary policy at 14:30, and European Central Bank President Lagarde will hold a press conference on monetary policy at 21:45.
In terms of earnings, $AIA (01299.HK)$ 、 $CHINA UNICOM (00762.HK)$ 、 $HORIZONROBOT-W (09660.HK)$ Hong Kong stocks such as [company names] will release earnings reports. Additionally, US stocks $Alibaba (BABA.US)$ 、 $Intuitive Machines (LUNR.US)$ 、 $UP Fintech (TIGR.US)$ Will announce earnings before the US stock market opens. $FedEx (FDX.US)$ 、 $Planet Labs PBC (PL.US)$ Will announce earnings after the US stock market closes.
Friday (March 20)
Keywords: XPeng Motors/Zijin Mining earnings, China March LPR, Japanese stock market closed
In terms of economic data, the US will release non-farm payrolls and unemployment rate at 21:30.In addition, the preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index will be released at 23:00.
In terms of financial events,The one-year loan prime rate for China as of March 20 will be announced at 09:00.
In terms of earnings, $CHINAHONGQIAO (01378.HK)$ 、 $ZIJIN GOLD INTL (02259.HK)$ 、 $ZIJIN MINING (02899.HK)$ Several Hong Kong-listed companies will release their financial reports. Additionally,$XPeng (XPEV.US)$ will announce its earnings before the US stock market opens.
In terms of new stocks,Leading PCB manufacturer in computing power servers $DELTON (01989.HK)$ will officially list on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Regarding market holidays,Japan - Tokyo Stock Exchange will be closed for one day due to the Spring Equinox Day.
Stay ahead with key financial events and discover investment opportunities early! Open Futubull > Market > US Stocks >Economic Calendar/Selected macroeconomic data, seize the investment opportunity!
The global market will see a series of major events in the coming week. The conflict involving the US, Iran, and Israel has entered its third week. Investors are closely watching the impact of the Middle East conflict on rate cut expectations for the Federal Reserve and other central banks, as well as how the latest developments in the Iran war may affect markets. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is leading the 'Global Central Bank Super Week,' with NVIDIA's GTC conference coinciding with earnings reports from large tech firms such as Alibaba. Key Schedule Highlights – Bombardment by Seven Major Central Banks! Will the Federal Reserve Stay Put? Against the backdrop of escalating conflict in Iran driving oil prices higher and triggering a chain reaction across global assets, Federal Reserve policymakers will convene a meeting in the early hours of March 19 Beijing time. On the same day, central banks in Japan and Europe will also announce interest rate decisions.The market expects the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged, but the updated dot plot may indicate only one rate cut within the year, which would mark a significant scaling back from previous market expectations. During the two-day meeting, Federal Reserve officials will assess the impact of this energy shock on inflation and economic growth, and the Fed will release its latest economic forecasts. Due to the ongoing war, market expectations for rate cuts this year have significantly cooled, whereas anticipation of rate cuts had previously been an important factor supporting bullish sentiment in the stock market. The central banks of Japan and Europe may also remain on hold during this period, but price risks driven by rising energy costs could bring the option of a rate hike in Japan back onto the table for April. Economists from Citi and Deutsche Bank...
A new week begins, wishing all fellow investors successful investments!
Risk Disclaimer: The above content only represents the author's view. It does not represent any position or investment advice of Futu. Futu makes no representation or warranty.Read more
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