Equity markets continue to consolidate within a tight range while market participants wait on the next FOMC decision. The S&P 500 gained more than half a percent on Thursday but traded within the same range it's been in all week. Given the outlook for interest rates, the market remains below the critical 4,300 level and may not rise above it. The FOMC is unlikely to indicate a reduction in interest rates is coming soon and may give reason to believe another interest rate increase is the more likely scenario.

Next week will be a turning point for the market. Along with the FOMC meeting is another look at the CPI index, retail sales data, and a host of reports on manufacturing conditions across the US. Even if it means higher rates for longer, good data could lift the market and take it above 4,300. In that scenario, the S&P 500 could drift up to retest the all-time high by mid-summer.