Stock markets are anticipated to begin Tuesday slightly lower as investors await fthe big corporate earnings.

As investors wait nervously for an abundance of corporate earnings as well as more hints from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, European stock markets are anticipated to begin Tuesday slightly lower.

It's a major day for corporate profits in the United States, with reports from companies including Microsoft, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, General Electric, Visa, General Motors, and 3M Company, among others.

Given that markets are now pricing in a "soft-landing" slowdown in both GDP and inflation, investors will be watching what large corporations Unilever and LVMH say about their profits expectations when they report this season back in Europe.

The Fed is scheduled to begin its most recent policy-setting meeting later in the afternoon, prior to Wednesday's announcement, so investors should exercise caution before getting too engaged.

Investors will be watching what Fed Chair Jerome Powell says at his news conference for hints as to the direction of future rate policy, even though it is widely predicted that the Fed will increase rates by another quarter of a percentage point.

This week's meetings of the ECB will also be watched closely for President Christine Lagarde's remarks, as the central bank is generally anticipated to raise interest rates once again.

Prior to that, the closely watched German Ifo business environment index and the Eurozone bank lending survey, which might give insight into the region's borrowing health, are scheduled for publication.

Tuesday saw a little increase in oil prices as they reached three-month highs on hopes for further Chinese stimulus amid indications of a supply crunch ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy-setting meeting.

The U.S. inventory data will also be a focus, with official figures from the Energy Information Administration expected on Wednesday after industry data from the American Petroleum Institute is released later on Tuesday.

In the week leading up to July 21st, stocks are anticipated to have decreased by nearly 2 million barrels, reflecting stable demand in the world's top oil consumer.

(Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)