Markets
The U.S. Commerce Department releases August retail sales at 7:30 a.m. CDT, followed by the Energy Department's weekly inventory report at 9:30 a.m. CDT. The Federal Reserve concludes its 2-day meeting with an announcement at 1 p.m. CDT, possibly containing important clues of monetary policy.
Weather
Warm and dry conditions will cover all primary crop areas Wednesday. This combination again favors row crop ripening and harvest along with winter wheat planting. Rain will focus in the Southeast where Hurricane Sally threatens extensive flooding. Western wildfire conditions show no sign of easing with very warm and dry weather again in place.