Upcoming S&P 500 Earnings Releases: Before the bell: Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) After the bell: Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) Important Data Releases: UK: 7:00AM EST Bank of England (BOE) will release Asset Purchase Facility which measures the total value of money the BOE will create and use to purchase assets in the open market, and will release Official Bank Rate, which measures the interest rate at which banks lend balances held at the BOE to other banks. If the Official Bank Rate or Asset Purchase Facility changes, Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Rate Statement will also be released. US: Originally at 8:30AM EST Department of Labor will release Unemployment Claims, which measures the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time during the past week. Since the government is still shutdown, data delay is expected again, as stated on the Department of Labor website, “NOTICE: Due to suspension of Federal government services, this website is not being regularly updated.” Japan: 12:00PM EST Bank of Japan will release BOJ Gov Haruhiko Kuroda Speaksat the Bretton Woods Committee 2013 International Council Meeting, in Washington DC. As head of the central bank, which controls short term interest rates, he has important influence over the nation's currency value. Traders examine his speeches to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy and interest rate shifts. Europe: 12:20PM ESTEuropean Central Bank (ECB) will release ECB President Mario Draghi Speaks at the Economic Club of New York. As head of the ECB, which controls short term interest rates, he has influence over the euro's value. Traders examine his public engagements to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy.