Business Lookahead: Fed, ready, steady, cut

STORY: From expected rate cuts in the U.S., to talks of a rate hike in Brazil, these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week.

:: Lookahead

:: Time at last

The Fed is due to conclude a two-day meeting on Wednesday with its first rate cut of this cycle.

Eyes will be on how much and how fast easing comes.

Odds have tipped in favor of a smaller 25 basis point cut after data showed consumer prices rose slightly in August. Core inflation was a bit stickier.

:: Up, not down

Brazil’s central bank meets Wednesday and is expected to diverge from the Fed by kicking off a tightening cycle.

Inflation has been above target at 4.25% and Brazil is seeing stronger-than-expected growth.

The hawkish stance has fueled bets on a forthcoming 25 basis point hike.

:: Odd one out

The Bank of Japan is not expected to change rates at its policy meeting, which ends on Friday.

With two hikes already this year, the focus will be on the tightening path ahead.

BOJ policymakers have gone against the tide of global easing and have expressed their resolve to raise rates further, as long as markets and economic conditions behave.

:: Unpredictable

The Bank of England and Norges Bank are expected to keep rates unchanged when they meet on Thursday.

The BoE is tipped to ease twice more by year-end and Norway could start easing by then.

But any surprise from the Fed could potentially upend the global monetary policy outlook.