John Williams

Patchy economic data from the U.S. sent Federal Reserve rate hike predictions on a rollercoaster over the past months as investors tried to figure out when the bank will feel comfortable easing further and allowing the U.S. economy to stand on its own. Weakness in jobs reports and worries about...

U.S. stocks rose as the S&P 500 toppled to a new all-time high of 1,994.76 while the Dow rose above the 17,000 mark following positive economic reports. Speaking from Jackson Hole, San Francisco's Federal Reserve President John Williams stated that raising the benchmark interest rate...

U.S. stocks were unable to post its fifth consecutive day of gains as the weekly jobless claims figure gained more than expected. Investors and traders were likely sitting on the sideline, waiting for Friday's monthly government jobs. Economists are expecting a gain of 197,000 new jobs in March...

Stock futures declined before the equity markets opened after the ADP employment report showed a higher than expected 215,000 jobs were added during the month of November. Investors and traders were spooked by the report that solidifies the Fed's case to begin tapering. Traders and investors...

In the upcoming week, second quarter earnings season formally kicks off with the much-anticipated earnings report from Alcoa (NYSE: AA). Also, JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) kicks off financials earnings while Yum! Brands' (NYSE: YUM) earnings report will be closely watched for comments on its...

Futures Rise On Better Japan Data U.S. equity futures rose in early pre-market trade following lots of stronger than expected economic data from Japan. Better manufacturing data as well industrial production figures boosted assets pre-markets as fears that the massive stimulus will fail abated...

Minneapolis Fed President Naryana Kocherlakota issued a statement unexpectedly Monday, announcing his views that recent Fed communications have not been clear enough. He fully supports continued easing and argued that the FOMC has not done enough to quell rate hike fears. Asset Purchases...

Futures Slightly Higher as Global Shares Drop U.S. equity futures traded slightly higher in early pre-market trade despite weakness elsewhere around the world. Better than expected manufacturing PMIs across the eurozone are helping to prop assets despite sustained weakness in emerging markets...

It has been the talk of this spring and continues to make headlines leading into the summer. When will the Fed end its QE3 acquisition phase? How will the economy react? In an article written by Ann Saphir of Reuterss, John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, gives...

Futures Rise Heading Into the Weekend U.S. equity futures rose slightly in early pre-market trade heading into the weekend after a week marked by small moves in equities in both directions. Stocks look set to test all-time highs again in Friday's session if futures can hold gains into the open....

Futures Flat After Strong Japanese GDP U.S. equity futures traded just near unchanged in early pre-market trade following a stronger than expected GDP report from Japan. Japan reported first quarter GDP rose 3.5 percent on an annualized basis, better than the 2.7 percent expected growth rate....

Futures Higher On Strong Chinese Services Data U.S. equity futures rallied in early pre-market trade following stronger than expected data on China's services sector. The official Non-Manufacturing PMI in China rose to 55.6 in March from 54.5 in February and the HSBC China Non-Manufacturing PMI...

Next week, investors eyes will be on the economy as well as some key company earnings as markets attempt to continue to make new highs. In the past week, the S&P 500 Index breached its previous closing high of 1,565.40. Investors now look to economic indicators as to the next move for markets...

Futures Lower on Weak European Manufacturing Data U.S. equity futures fell in pre-market trading following weak Eurozone Manufacturing PMIs. The Eurozone Manufacturing PMI for February fell to 47.8 from 47.9 in January, worse than forecasts of a reading of 48.5, with weakness in France and Germany...