Four Key Events Could Make This an Exciting Week for the Market

This week holds four potentially exciting catalysts; each with the potential to dominate business media headlines.  Is it any wonder that the VIX has spiked back above 25%?

1. Wednesday night President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address
   Will Health Care remain in focus following the Massachusetts run-off election results?
   Will new Bank regulations and taxes receive a major emphasis?
   Any new initiatives on job creation stimulus?
2. FED Chairman Ben Bernanke Confirmation vote expected before his term expires on January 31^st
   This result will likely be known before it actually comes to a vote. I believe the market may not react well to any uncertainty of a non-confirmation vote
3. FOMC meeting January 27
   What type of meeting would it be if the pre-confirmation tally turns further against Ben?
   Expectations are for no change to the Fed Funds targets but that decision has not been unanimous lately so the statement may change tone
4. Earnings season is in full swing
   Apple earnings tonight and Tablet launch on Wednesday
   136 companies in the S&P 500 report including MSFT, JNJ, PG, CVX, T, AMZN and COP

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4. 11 Big Movers in Today’s Options Market: Cisco Systems (CSCO), Citigroup (C) and Research in Motion (RIMM), Among Others
5. Market Reactions to the Google Spat with China

Tagged as: AAPL, AMZN, Ben Bernanke, COP, CVX, earnings season, FOMC, JNJ, MSFT, PG, State of the Union Address, T