Most important week of summer ahead? | Investing in a gray future | Top earnings plays

Markets are heading straight for what could the most important – or at very least the busiest – week of summer.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE SAT, JUL 23, 2022 WEEKEND BRIEF EDITOR'S NOTE Markets are heading straight for what could be the most important – or at very least the busiest – week of summer.   The Federal Reserve's interest rate setting committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to deliver another three-quarter point rate hike. Investors will be watching for clues about the central bank's next move, at the upcoming September meeting.   The Fed rate hike alone would be a major event in a  mid-summer week, but there are also dozens of important earnings reports including Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet.   There is also some key economic data, the most important of which could be second quarter gross domestic product. Worries the Fed's aggressive interest rate policies will push the economy into recession have been a concern for investors, so markets could be volatile if that report shows a contracting economy, for a second quarter in a row.   "For me, the real tell will be whether the attitude of investors continues to be that the earnings season is better than feared," said one strategist. Patti Domm | CNBC Markets Editor @pattidomm THE WEEK AHEAD Markets face what could be the most important week of summer with Fed, earnings and economic data ACTIVIST SPOTLIGHT Scopia Capital pushes for strategic review at Verra Mobility. Here's why it's an unusual request YOUR WEEKEND BRIEFING  The world is growing old at a rapid pace. Here are ways to invest for a gray future Ukraine says Russian missiles slam Odesa port, putting a landmark grain deal at risk Investors should buy these stocks with 'outsized earnings power,' analysts say These solar companies could beat expectations this earnings season, according to Goldman 'High volatility' includes 'sharp' up days, too. Here's why it's smart to stay invested in the market Best trades on CNBC Friday: Trading the Snap-induced tech decline Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy © 2022 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS