Publication date: March 20, 2026
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Outlook: geopolitical developments continue to dominate market sentiment
In this weekend Money Care report, we provide an overview of macroeconomic developments that could potentially cause additional movement in financial markets in the coming week.
Review of the past week
The past trading week began relatively quietly. On Wednesday, that changed. Then the producer price index for February in the US was announced. This figure is from before the outbreak of the Middle East conflict and the huge increase in oil prices. Producer prices rose much more than expected in February. This means that inflation may start to rise. On Wednesday evening, the Fed announced that it would not cut interest rates in the US. This decision was expected, but in the explanation, Chairman Powell indicated that they expect higher inflation in 2026 (2.7% instead of 2.4%) mainly because of the war in the Middle East. This further reduced hopes and expectations for an upcoming interest rate cut.
Consequently, equity markets subsequently had to slump. The AEX opened Wednesday at 1,017 points and was 4.5% lower Thursday afternoon at 972 points. In the US, the Dow Jones had to fall about 2.75%. For many, gold is considered a haven, but the price of gold fell about 8% over the past week. On Friday, markets recovered somewhat, but tension and uncertainty in the markets remain high.
Upcoming week:
On the macroeconomic front, there are no important figures or events on the agenda. The influence of developments in the Middle East conflict is expected to continue to dominate the financial markets in the coming week. Nothing can be said about this in advance. It is important to hold modest positions and not panic when volatility is high. In general, the short-term trend and sentiment in equity markets, crypto markets and gold prices are uncertain and negative.
The stock market calendar week 13
The following is an overview of the most important macro-economic publications for the coming week. These figures may cause additional volatility in financial markets.
Monday, March 23, 2026:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026:
United States:
Wednesday, March 25, 2026:
No major macro-economic figures
Thursday, March 26, 2026:
No major macro-economic figures
Friday, March 27, 2026:
No major macro-economic figures
Please note that publication dates and times may change. Please consult the official communication channels of the relevant institutions and governments for the most up-to-date information.
Disclaimer: Investing involvesrisks. Our analysts are not financial advisors. Always consult an advisor when making financial decisions. The information and tips provided on this website are based on our analysts' own insights and experiences. They are therefore for educational purposes only.