The Week Ahead: It's showtime for Ben Bernanke and the FOMC

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and members of the Federal Open Market Committee will convene their two-day interest rate policy meeting on Tuesday amid growing concerns that the economic recovery has hit the wall. The FOMC will release its economic policy statement on Wednesday.

Will Ben and the FOMC stay the course?MONDAY: Earnings from Carnival Corp.

TUESDAY: Federal Reserve Open Market Committee opens two-day meeting; existing home sales; earnings from Barnes & Noble, Walgreen.

WEDNESDAY: FOMC interest rate policy statement set for release; earnings from Bed Bath & Beyond, Carmax, Herman Miller, Steelcase.

THURSDAY: Initial jobless claims; new home sales; earnings from Discover Financial Services, H&R Block, Rite Aid.

FRIDAY: Gross domestic product; durable goods; corporate profits outlook.