Five things to watch in markets in the week ahead By Investing.com

• U.S. stock futures declined recently following calls to slow the development of artificial intelligence and escalating tensions in the Middle East. • German companies increased their investments in China by one-third while U.S. spending in the region dropped, according to the IW.

• Indian equities enter a holiday-shortened week with the Nifty index at a critical support zone following five consecutive weekly declines. • Market sentiment will be driven by the US Federal Reserve's policy decision, FOMC projections, crude oil prices, and global bond yields.

• Wall Street is preparing for a high-stakes week featuring a Federal Reserve interest rate decision and new retail sales data. • Investors are monitoring significant insider trading activity at major companies including Nvidia, Tesla, and Uber.

• The Federal Open Market Committee will meet Tuesday and announce its decision on whether to change interest rates this Wednesday afternoon. • Fed Chair Kevin Warsh will hold a press conference following the announcement to explain the committee's decision.

• Indian stock markets will reopen on September 15 after a holiday as investors track US interest rates, inflation data, and crude oil prices. • The BSE Sensex declined 2.27% to close at 74,781.76 last week amid rising bond yields and inflation concerns.

• Bank of America named Saipem as one of its top two European oil sector stock picks. • Saipem lowered its 2026 core earnings forecast to €1.75 billion due to additional costs from the Middle East crisis.

• European Union financial services commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque rejected requests from banks to divide a comprehensive reform package designed to strengthen the bloc's financial system. • The decision maintains the current structure of the grand plan rather than splitting it into two separate initiatives as banks had demanded.

• European tech stocks dropped to a six-week low recently as investors reacted to calls for a slowdown in artificial intelligence development. • The Financial Times reports that AI firm Anthropic informed its backers it expects to be profitable this quarter.

• European stocks declined recently as investors reacted to a pause in AI safety developments and shifting expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate moves. • Market sentiment is currently weighed down by a combination of energy-driven inflation shocks and upcoming global monetary policy decisions.

• Saudi Arabia closed its East-West oil pipeline on Friday as a precautionary measure following attacks. • The closure occurred after security threats targeted the infrastructure, though the specific nature of the attacks was not detailed.

• Crude oil futures rose at the start of the week after Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West Pipeline. • The shutdown followed a series of attacks that occurred last week.