Given the lack of drama, all eyes will be focused on whether officials tip their hand on longer-term plans for interest rates.

Policymakers, including new Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer, will release updated projections for the economy and for when they think rates should rise from near zero. They could also surprise investors with more detail on how they plan to eventually shrink the U.S. central bank's swollen balance sheet.

Here are the key things to watch in the policy statement and economic projections, which will be released on Wednesday at 2 p.m. (1800 GMT), and in a news conference by Fed Chair Janet Yellen that will start a half hour later:

* Is the Fed more upbeat on employment and inflation?

The economy has bounced back from a tough winter. More than 200,000 jobs were added in each of the last four months, lifting U.S. employment to its pre-recession peak; inflation has firmed slightly though it's still well below the Fed's 2-percent goal.

With unemployment now at 6.3 percent, officials will likely lower their estimates of the jobless rate for this year and next from March expectations of 6.1-6.3 percent and 5.6-5.9 percent, respectively. They could also nudge up their 2014 inflation forecasts from about 1.5 percent, while cutting their GDP forecast to take into account a dismal first quarter.

Taken together, the forecast shifts would suggest the time for a rate hike is moving closer.

* Where are rates seen in 2015 and the years ahead?

The individual policymakers' expectations, known as the "dots" charts, will reveal whether they still see rates rising in 2015 and hitting 1 percent, on average, by year's end.

Perhaps more intriguing is whether they continue to lower views on where the federal funds rate should settle in the longer-term. In March, the median expectation for the neutral federal funds rate was still 4 percent, but policymakers' dots have been edging lower over the last few quarters, suggesting rates will not rise as sharply in the years ahead.

The addition to the policy-making Federal Open Market Committee of Vice Chair Stanley Fischer and Fed Governor Lael Brainard, both seen as doves, as well as new Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, seen as a pragmatist, could shake up the dots charts and diminish the perceived weight of hawkish officials anxious to tighten policy.

* Does Yellen show her hand?

In her first news conference as chair in March, Yellen knocked the wind out of financial markets when she said the Fed could raise rates about six months after the asset purchases end in the fall. This week, investors will listen for any fresh hints on the rate-hike path.

Yellen has emphasized lingering problems of high long-term unemployment and too many part-time workers. But if, like New York Fed President William Dudley, she also stresses the need to regain some policy flexibility with a small rate rise, financial markets could respond.

She could also weigh in on the growing debate over when the Fed should halt reinvestments on maturing assets to let its balance sheet start to shrink.

* Any wildcards?

The Fed's measured reductions in bond-buying sets it up to announce the end of the program in either October or December; it could telegraph the end date this week.

Longer term, the central bank could formally redefine its strategy for returning to a normal policy stance and shrinking its nearly $4.5 trillion balance sheet. The principles were last published exactly three years ago but have grown stale.

Another long shot is an announcement that the Fed has formally adopted a tool now being tested, known as the fixed-rate full-allotment overnight reverse repurchase agreement facility, that could help it drain reserves from financial firms when the time comes to raise rates.

PR Newswire

CLEVELAND, Oct. 29, 2014

CLEVELAND, Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aleris announced today that Roeland Baan, who currently leads the company's businesses in Europe and Asia Pacific, will become executive vice president, CEO of Asia Pacific to help accelerate the ramp-up of the company's aluminum plate mill in Zhenjiang, China and determine the next phase of investment for that business. Ingrid Jorg, senior vice president and general manager of Rolled Products Europe, has been promoted to executive vice president and CEO of Rolled Products Europe. Both will report directly to Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou.

"As we transition Aleris to become a pure aluminum rolled products company, we are implementing leadership changes that will enhance our ability to drive growth across all of our business units," Steve Demetriou, Aleris chairman and CEO said. "Roeland and Ingrid are talented executives who have been critical to our success in both China and Europe and I am confident that under their leadership, we can accelerate our growth in these important regions."

Earlier this month Aleris announced the planned divestiture of the Recycling and Specification Alloys businesses. The divestiture will allow the company to strengthen its focus on its global rolled products business, and position it to further capitalize on the projected growth within the key industries it serves.

The Aleris global technology and aerospace organizations along with the Extrusions business will also report directly to Baan. Jorg will continue to oversee the global automotive segment for the company.

The new roles will take effect November 1.

About AlerisAleris is a privately held, global leader in aluminum rolled products and extrusions, aluminum recycling and specification alloy production. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Aleris operates approximately 40 production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.aleris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements under headings with "Outlook" in the title and statements about our beliefs and expectations and statements containing the words "may," "could," "would," "should," "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project," "look forward to," "intend" and similar expressions intended to connote future events and circumstances constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about, among other things, future costs and prices of commodities, production volume, industry trends, demand for our products and services, anticipated cost savings, anticipated benefits from new products or facilities, and projected results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement. Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; (2) the cyclical nature of the aluminum industry, material adverse changes in the aluminum industry or our end-use segments, such as global and regional supply and demand conditions for aluminum and aluminum products, and changes in our customers' industries; (3) our ability to fulfill our substantial capital investment requirements; (4) variability in general economic conditions on a global or regional basis; (5) our ability to retain the services of certain members of our management; (6) our ability to enter into effective metal, natural gas and other commodity derivatives or arrangements with customers to manage effectively our exposure to commodity price fluctuations and changes in the pricing of metals, especially London Metal Exchange-based aluminum prices; (7) our internal controls over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent all possible errors that could occur; (8) increases in the cost of raw materials and energy; (9) the loss of order volume from any of our largest customers; (10) our ability to retain customers, a substantial number of whom do not have long-term contractual arrangements with us; (11) our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to fund our capital expenditure requirements and to meet our debt service obligations; (12) competitor pricing activity, competition of aluminum with alternative materials and the general impact of competition in the industry segments we serve; (13) risks of investing in and conducting operations on a global basis, including political, social, economic, currency and regulatory factors; (14) current environmental liabilities and the cost of compliance with and liabilities under health and safety laws; (15) labor relations (i.e., disruptions, strikes or work stoppages) and labor costs; (16) our levels of indebtedness and debt service obligations, including changes in our credit ratings, material increases in our cost of borrowing or the failure of financial institutions to fulfill their commitments to us under committed credit facilities; (17) our ability to access the credit and capital markets; (18) the possibility that we may incur additional indebtedness in the future; (19) limitations on operating our business as a result of covenant restrictions under our indebtedness and our ability to pay amounts due under the Senior Notes; and (20) the previously announced proposed sale transaction (including the possibility that the transaction may not close or that, if a transaction does close, Aleris may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transaction); and (21) other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections entitled "Risk Factors" contained therein. Investors, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

SOURCE Aleris

Britain's dominant pay-TV provider said in June it would buy the Sky Italia business and a 57 percent stake in Sky Deutschland from Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox for 4.9 billion pounds in cash plus a stake in a TV channel.

However under German takeover rules it also had to make the offer available to the German firm's independent investors and despite the relatively low offer, it has ended up with 90 percent of the company.

Announcing the completion of the deal, BSkyB said on Wednesday it had paid 6.9 billion pounds for the two companies, including 6.5 billion pounds in cash.

It said at the time of the deal it had funding in place to acquire 100 percent of Sky Deutschland if all the shareholders tendered their shares, but that it would be equally happy to own just the 57 percent holding owned by Murdoch.

BSkyB noted that both Standard and Poor's and Moody's had indicated recently that BSkyB was expected to maintain its investment grade credit ratings.

TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northern Tier Energy LP ("Northern Tier") announced today that Northern Tier Energy LLC ("NTE"), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northern Tier, and NTE's wholly owned subsidiary Northern Tier Finance Corporation (together with NTE, the "Issuers") priced an additional $75 million in aggregate principal amount of their senior secured notes due 2020 (the "Notes") in a private placement. The Notes will bear an interest rate of 7.125% per annum and will be issued at 105.750% of the par value plus accrued and unpaid interest, for a yield-to-worst of 5.545%. Northern Tier intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general partnership purposes, including the purchase of crude oil inventories.

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes are expected to be eligible for trading by qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and non-U.S. persons under Regulation S. This announcement is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes.

About Northern Tier Energy LP

Northern Tier Energy LP (NYSE:NTI) is an independent downstream energy company with refining, retail, and pipeline operations that serves the PADD II region of the United States. Northern Tier operates a 96,500 barrels per stream day refinery located in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. Northern Tier also operates approximately 165 convenience stores and supports approximately 80 franchised convenience stores, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin, under the SuperAmerica trademark, and owns a bakery and commissary under the SuperMom's brand. Northern Tier is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" which reflect Northern Tier's views and assumptions on the date of this press release regarding future events. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond its control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Northern Tier undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any such forward-looking statements. Northern Tier cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Please refer to Northern Tier's filings with the SEC for more detailed information regarding these risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, July 23, 2014

NEW YORK, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Analysts Review released its research reports regarding Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), AstraZeneca plc (NYSE: AZN), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA). Private wealth members receive these notes ahead of publication. To reserve complementary membership, limited openings are available at: http://www.analystsreview.com/5022-100free.--Johnson & Johnson Research ReportsOn July 15, 2014, Johnson & Johnson reported Q2 2014 financial results. In Q2 2014, the Company generated sales of $19.5 billion, up 9.1% YoY. Q2 2014 net earnings were $4.3 billion, or $1.51 per diluted share, compared with $3.8 billion, or $1.33 per diluted share, in Q2 2013. "Our strong second-quarter results reflect the continued success of our new product launches and the progress we have made in achieving our near-term priorities," said Alex Gorsky, Chairman CEO of Johnson & Johnson. "Significant advancements are being made in the treatment options and access to care for patients and customers around the world. Our diversified business model, focus on long-term growth drivers and talented colleagues position us well in this evolving and dynamic global health care market." For full year 2014, the Company increased its earnings guidance to $5.85 to $5.92 per share. The full research reports on Johnson & Johnson are available to download free of charge at:http://www.analystsreview.com/Jul-23-2014/JNJ/report.pdf--Merck & Co., Inc. Research ReportsOn July 17, 2014, Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck) announced that music industry promoter and HIV advocate Maria Davis and Positive Women's Network-USA (PWN-USA) are joining the Company's national HIV education campaign, "I Design." The said program aims to help inspire and motivate women living with HIV to express their sentiments on their treatment plans, as well as to work their healthcare teams to design treatment plans specific to the patients' individual health needs. "As an organization founded to build collective power among women living with HIV, we are glad to partner with Merck and the I Design campaign in our shared mission to support women living with HIV in advocating for our health and rights," said Naina Khanna, Executive Director of PWN-USA. "Women living with HIV have unique needs and face specific challenges that healthcare providers should take into account when considering treatment and care plans." The full research reports on Merck are available to download free of charge at:http://www.analystsreview.com/Jul-23-2014/MRK/report.pdf--AstraZeneca plc Research ReportsOn July 18, 2014, AstraZeneca plc (AstraZeneca) announced the proposed designs for its new Global R&D Centre and Corporate Headquarters in Cambridge in the UK. The Company reported that the new facility will be located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC), and the facility plans include designs for the Global Centre, an R&D Enabling Building, and an Energy Centre. Further, the facility is expected to bring together AstraZeneca's small molecule and biologics research and development activity. The site is expected to go online in late 2016, with construction expected to begin in early 2015. The full research reports on AstraZeneca are available to download free of charge at:http://www.analystsreview.com/Jul-23-2014/AZN/report.pdf--Novartis AG Research ReportsOn July 17, 2014, Novartis AG (Novartis) reported Q2 2014 financial results. In Q2 2014, the Company's net sales were $14.6 billion, up 2.0% YoY. The Company noted that year-on-year comparisons are based on 2013 data excluding the divested blood transfusion diagnostics unit. Q2 2014 net income was $2.6 billion, or $1.05 per share, compared with $2.5 billion, or $1.01 per share, in Q2 2013. "Novartis delivered solid financial performance with core margin expansion in the second quarter and first half. Pharmaceuticals, in particular, showed improved productivity, driving core operating leverage for the Group," said Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis. The full research reports on Novartis are available to download free of charge at:http://www.analystsreview.com/Jul-23-2014/NVS/report.pdf--Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Research ReportsOn July 18, 2014, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Teva) announced that it intends to release its Q2 2014 financial results on July 31, 2014, at 7:00 a.m. ET. On the same day, the Company has scheduled a conference call and live webcast, at 8:00 a.m. ET, to discuss Teva's results as well as overall business environment. The full research reports on Teva are available to download free of charge at:http://www.analystsreview.com/Jul-23-2014/TEVA/report.pdf--About Analysts ReviewWe do things differently. Our goal is to provide the best content to our exclusive membership. We are constantly hiring researchers, writers, editors and analysts to add to our team and become better than yesterday. If being a part of a fast growing community with an edge in today's market sounds interesting to you, then sign-up today and experience the full benefits of membership.===============EDITOR'S NOTES:===============1. This is not company news. We are an independent source and our views do not reflect the companies mentioned.2. Information in this release is produced on a best efforts basis by Rohit Tuli, a CFA charterholder. The content is then further fact checked and reviewed by an outsourced research provider. However, we are only human and are prone to make mistakes. If you notice any errors or omissions, please notify us below.3. This information is submitted as a net-positive to companies mentioned, to increase awareness for mentioned companies to our subscriber base and the investing public.4. If you wish to have your company covered in more detail by our team, or wish to learn more about our services, please contact us at pubco [at] http://www.analystsreview.com.5. 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SOURCE Analysts Review