Publication date: March 27, 2026
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Outlook: Non-Farm Payrolls and Middle East conflict drive 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
Tension was high at the beginning of the trading week because of the situation in the Middle East. Equity markets opened weak and gold prices fell about 10%.
After President Donald Trump made positive statements about developments in the war with Iran, sentiment turned quickly. Equity markets rose about 5% in a short period of time, gold rebounded about 10% and the price of oil fell about 10%. This underscores the major impact of geopolitical developments on financial markets. In the following days, prices stabilized. In the absence of relevant macroeconomic figures, volatility decreased during the week. On balance, equity markets closed the week slightly lower.
Upcoming week:
Daylight saving time will be introduced in Europe this weekend, bringing trading hours back in line with those in the United States. On Friday, April 3 (Good Friday), major stock markets in both Europe and the U.S. will be closed.
On the same day, the monthly US labor figures (Non-Farm Payrolls) will be published. This is exceptional as these figures normally appear on a trading day. The expectation is around an increase of about 60,000 jobs. Due to increased inflation concerns in the US, the main focus is on the development of average hourly earnings. The market is counting on a 0.3% increase on a monthly basis. A higher increase will reinforce inflation fears and thus put pressure on equity markets and gold.
In addition, developments in the Middle East are expected to continue to play a dominant role. Due to the high degree of uncertainty, their course is difficult to predict.
Given the combination of closed stock markets, important macroeconomic publications and geopolitical tensions, it is very important to keep positions controlled and avoid emotional decisions when volatility rises.
The stock market agenda week 14
The following is an overview of the most important macroeconomic publications for the coming week. These figures may cause additional volatility in financial markets.
Monday, March 30, 2026:
Europe:
United States:
Tuesday, March 31, 2026:
Europe:
Wednesday, April 1, 2026:
United States:
Thursday, April 2, 2026:
No major macroeconomic figures
Friday, April 3, 2026:
Good Friday: European and U.S. stock markets closed.
United States:
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.