Business Lookahead: Go big or go home

STORY: From an inflation reading in the U.S., to a snapshot of the world economy, these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week.

:: Inflation in focus

A reading of the Fed's favorite inflation indicator will show if price pressures have continued to moderate.

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index is due on Sept. 27.

Investors will also get fresh numbers on consumer confidence and durable goods in the week to come.

:: Recession watch

Flash business activity data, due from Monday onward, will provide the latest snapshot of the state of the world economy.

Markets appear happy, for now, that the Fed's half-point rate cut will help avert a U.S. recession, and so, a global one.

But it's not all rosy.

In Germany, the Purchasing Managers Index moved deeper into contraction territory. And a Chinese economy that is still struggling will likely hurt others.

:: Rate-cutting race

Central banks in Sweden and Switzerland are next up in the Great Rate-Cutting Race of 2024.

Market participants expect both to lower benchmark rates at their meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Markets are split on the size of the Swiss National Bank's cut.

Meanwhile, Sweden's Riksbank is all but certain to deliver a 25 basis point cut.

:: Picking a premier

Japan's ruling party picks its new leader and, by extension, a new prime minister on Sept. 27.

It's a crowded field of nine with three seen as frontrunners though with very different policy views.

The leadership race complicates the Bank of Japan's job - no matter who wins.

A snap election is likely in late October, making policy action at that month's meeting difficult.