Here's what you need to know before the
1. The OECD said coronavirus has triggered the worst global recession in almost 100 years — and laid out 2 scenarios for its impact on the world economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the "most severe recession in nearly a century," the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development warned on Wednesday as it released two scenarios for how the virus could develop and impact the global economy.
2. With crisis response in place, the Fed is likely to look to the long term at its meeting today. The Federal Reserve completes its latest policy meeting on Wednesday with attention turning from its massive response to the coronavirus pandemic and toward its still-developing plans to strengthen and lengthen a nascent economic recovery.
3. The US shale industry could collapse unless oil prices bounce back soon, a think-tank warns. Oil prices remaining at current levels could spark the shale industry to collapse, a think-tank warned in a report published Wednesday.
4. Apple will allow a limited number of employees back to its HQ from June 15 and is asking them to take COVID-19 tests. While tech giants like Facebook and Twitter have braced themselves for a near-permanent working from home future, Apple is sending the first of its employees back to work next week.
5. The Bank of England is ready to replenish its COVID-19 warchest. The Bank of England looks set to give itself at least another 100 billion pounds ($127 billion) in bond-buying firepower next week to try to stop the coronavirus crisis from inflicting further damage on Britain's economy.
6. Oil drops after US inventory build renews oversupply concerns. Oil prices fell on Wednesday as an industry report showed a rise in crude and fuel inventories in the United States, renewing concerns about oversupply and slumping fuel demand in the world's largest crude consumer.
7. Chinese companies put US listing plans on ice as tensions mount. Chinese companies are putting off plans for U.S. listings as tensions between the world's top two economies rise, lawyers, bankers, accountants and regulators involved in what has been a major capital-raising route told Reuters.
8. Stocks are mixed. In Europe, stocks are down. In Asia, major stock indices are down but the Nikkei is up 0.2%. In the US, futures underlying the Dow Jones is down 0.1%, the S&P 500 is up 0.1% and the Nasdaq is up 0.5%.
9. First-quarter earnings coming in. Inditex and Dollarama are due.
10. Economic data releases today. In the US the Fed's Interest Rate Decision is due, and the EIA Crude Oil Stocks change will also be reported.