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Forex Signals March 19: Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, Firefly and USAR Earnings Preview
Investors are closely watching earnings from Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, USA Rare Earth and Firefly today, with results expected to provide..
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Last updated: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Quick overview
- Investors are monitoring earnings reports from Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, USA Rare Earth, and Firefly for insights on global demand and corporate spending trends.
- The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates, with updated projections indicating persistent inflation pressures and a slightly stronger growth outlook.
- Chair Powell's hawkish comments on inflation and oil prices contributed to market declines, emphasizing the Fed's focus on price stability over employment concerns.
- Today's earnings reports will provide a broad perspective on various sectors, potentially influencing near-term market sentiment based on guidance and economic conditions.
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MARKETS TREND
Investors are closely watching earnings from Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, USA Rare Earth and Firefly today, with results expected to provide key signals on global demand and corporate spending trends.
Policy Decision and Rate Outlook
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, in line with market expectations. The updated dot plot showed no change in the projected path for rates, with expectations for the end of 2026 and 2027 remaining at 3.4% and 3.1%, respectively.
Updated Economic Projections
Compared with the December outlook, the Fed revised several key economic indicators:
- PCE inflation increased to 2.7% from 2.4%
- Core PCE inflation also rose to 2.7% from 2.5%
- GDP growth was slightly upgraded to 2.4% from 2.3%
- Unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.4%
These revisions reflect a slightly stronger growth outlook but more persistent inflation pressures.
Powell’s Hawkish Tone Weighs on Markets
Markets turned lower following Chair Powell’s remarks, which leaned more hawkish than expected. He emphasized that inflation remains elevated and suggested that tariff-related price pressures may not be temporary, raising concerns about longer-term inflation persistence.
Powell also highlighted continued stickiness in non-housing services inflation and noted that goods inflation has not eased as much as anticipated. While short-term inflation expectations have risen, he pointed out that longer-term expectations remain relatively stable.
Oil Prices and Inflation Risks
On energy, Powell acknowledged that rising oil prices could feed into broader inflation and potentially impact core measures. While the Fed typically looks through short-term energy shocks, he stressed that this approach depends heavily on whether inflation expectations remain anchored.
Employment vs Inflation Balance
Regarding the labor market, Powell indicated that the Fed is not currently more concerned about employment than inflation. This reinforces the central bank’s stance that price stability remains the primary focus, even as economic growth holds steady.
Key Market Events to Watch Today: Earnings Calendar – Key Companies
Morning (Before Market Open – BMO)
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA)
- Reporting Q3 2026 earnings
- Expected EPS: $10.94
Market focus:
- E-commerce demand trends in China
- Cloud growth and profitability
- Consumer spending recovery signals
Accenture plc (ACN)
- Reporting Q2 2026 earnings
- Expected EPS: $2.84
Market focus:
- Enterprise IT and consulting demand
- Corporate spending outlook
- Margins amid cost pressures
After Market Close (AMC)
FedEx Corporation (FDX)
- Reporting Q3 2026 earnings
- Expected EPS: $4.13
Market focus:
- Global shipping demand
- Cost efficiency and margins
- Economic activity and trade flows
Firefly Aerospace Inc. (FLY)
- Reporting Q4 2025 earnings
- Expected EPS: -0.48
Market focus:
- Revenue growth trajectory
- Progress toward profitability
- Contract pipeline and launches
Additional Name to Watch
USA Rare Earth, Inc. (USAR)
- Latest reported EPS: -$0.12
Market focus:
- Strategic role in rare earth supply chains
- Funding and development progress
- Exposure to industrial and defense demand
🧩 Conclusion
Today’s earnings span consumer, enterprise, logistics, and industrial sectors, offering a broad read on the global economy. Alibaba provides insight into China’s consumer recovery, while Accenture reflects corporate spending trends.
FedEx is a key barometer for global trade and economic momentum, and Firefly Aerospace highlights growth vs. profitability challenges in emerging industries. Overall, results could shape near-term market sentiment, especially if guidance signals shifts in demand, margins, or economic conditions.
Gold Breaks Below $5,000
Although demand for safe haven assets is still high, gold fell precipitously from record highs following the Fed’s most recent rate cut comments, as profit-taking was prompted by Powell’s cautious tone. In December, gold jumped above $4.3800 following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 25 basis point rate decrease. But the impetus soon waned, and prices dropped back to $4,004. The 20 daily SMA (gray) held as support last week and buyers returned and pushed XAU above the $5,000 mark for the first time, printing a fresh record high at $5,598 before retreating below $5,000.
USD/JPY Rebounds
Foreign exchange markets saw sharp swings. Early in the week, U.S. yield differentials and Japanese capital outflows pushed the dollar above ¥150, but disappointing U.S. jobs data triggered profit-taking, causing the USD/JPY to slide by four yen from its peak. However, the new BOJ governor the JPY has weakened and USD/JPY soared to 154 and we decided to close our buy signal for more than 80 pips as the pair found support at the 20 daily SMA (gray) and has rebounded more than 200 pips off that MA but reversed after the 25 bps rate cut from the FED. The price approached $160 but reversed after the BOJ meeting and fell 8 cents but found support at $152 at the 100 daily SMA (red) and rebounded above 156 but have reversed down again this week after the Japanese elections.
USD/JPY – Daily Chart
Cryptocurrency Update
Bitcoin Reclaims the $70K Level
Cryptocurrencies remained highly active over the summer. Bitcoin (BTC) climbed to fresh highs of $123,000 and $124,000 in July and August, supported by institutional inflows and technical strength. However, remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruling out U.S. increases to BTC reserves triggered a steep pullback, sending the coin down to $80K before finding support at the 100 weekly SMA (green). A rebound followed, sending BTC near $100 is the first major text for Bitcoin buyers. However BTC returned lower and fell below $80K, breaking below the but the 100 weekly SMA (green) but the decline stopped at the $60K support where the 200 weekly SMA (purple) stands and rebounded to $74K.
BTC/USD – Daily Chart
Ethereum Climbs Above $2,000
Ethereum (ETH) has been similarly strong, surging toward $4,800, its highest since 2021 and near its all-time peak of $4,860. Despite a dip last week, ETH found support at the 20-day SMA, with retail enthusiasm and renewed institutional participation driving fresh upside momentum. Last week we saw a dive below $2,000 but buyers returned n d pushed the price above $2K again.
ETH/USD – Weekly Chart
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Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst.
Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.
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