Federal chairman Ben Bernanke is due to speak about ''communication and monetary policy'' tomorrow followed a day later by the release of the Fed minutes from its October policy meeting.
The minutes will be closely scrutinised for hints of when the bank will start its tapering programme, or reducing the amount of money it spends each month on buying bonds to stimulate the US economy.
At present, the Fed buys $US85 billion ($NZ102 billion) bonds a month to help keep interest rates low and the US economy afloat.
The extra money in the economy stimulates sharemarkets, job growth and sectors like housing.
Speculation is for the Fed being likely to taper its bond-buying programme in March but December is still an option and the October minutes will be the time for an indication of the bank's thinking.
Comments last week by US Fed vice-chairwoman Janet Yellen, who has been nominated to succeed Mr Bernanke, were seen as an affirmation of an extended easy monetary policyThe Bank of Japan holds its policy meeting today and tomorrow and is expected to maintain its loose monetary policy.
The Bank of Japan is seen as the most aggressive of any major central bank in its asset buying, putting downward pressure on the yen in the process.
US sales data out this week will be watched for signals ahead of a holiday shopping season which is not expected to be particularly robust. Results from several top retailers including Home Depot and Best Buy, are also due this week.
