Publication Date: October 2, 2026

In this economic calendar, we discuss the key macroeconomic developments and releases that could drive financial markets in the coming week.

A look back at last week

The past week was dominated by new U.S. inflation figures, rising interest rates, and the jobs report.

On Wednesday, the core PCE price index for August was released—the inflation measure that the Federal Reserve closely monitors. Core inflation came in at 3.0% year-over-year and 0.2% month-over-month, both lower than expected. However, part of that lower result is due to adjustments in the calculation method, which makes the figures appear slightly more favorable than the underlying price trends.

The final economic growth figures for the second quarter were also released on Wednesday. The U.S. economy grew by 2.2% on an annual basis, a significant upward revision from the earlier estimate of 1.5%. This indicates that, despite high interest rates, the U.S. economy remains resilient for the time being.

On Thursday, the U.S. 10-year yield rose to approximately 5.34%, its highest level since 2002. Later that day, the yield dropped sharply, and on Friday it was trading around 5.2% again. High interest rates thus remain a key factor for stocks, particularly for technology and growth companies.

On Friday, the U.S. jobs report for September was released. The economy added only 29,000 jobs, while economists had expected about 90,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate rose from 4.1% to 4.2%, and the August jobs figure was revised downward to 133,000. The figures point to a cooling of the labor market. The initial market reaction was positive: interest rates fell, and the Dow Jones futures rose by more than 400 points.

The price of oil also remained a key factor this week. After a sharp rise on Thursday, Brent fell by more than 2% on Friday to just under $100 per barrel. This was triggered by discussions in Europe about releasing additional diesel and oil reserves. At the same time, geopolitical risks remain high due to rising tensions in the Middle East and the expansion of the U.S. military presence in the region.

Outlook for the coming week:

The coming week will be relatively quiet in terms of major macroeconomic releases. On Monday at 4:00 p.m., the ISM index for the U.S. services sector for September will be released. In August, this index stood at 55.4 points. A reading above 50 indicates growth. A strong result could signal that the U.S. economy remains resilient, while a significant decline could indicate a slowdown.

Most attention will be focused on Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. on the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September 15–16 monetary policy meeting. At that meeting, the Fed raised the policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, marking the first rate hike in three years. Interest rate projections showed that 16 of the 18 participants considered at least one further hike appropriate before the end of 2026.

Investors will be looking in the minutes primarily for clues as to how much support there is within the Fed for a subsequent rate hike. However, an important caveat is needed here: the minutes describe a meeting that took place before this week’s lower PCE inflation and weak jobs report. The views of some Fed officials may therefore have changed in the meantime. In any case, the recent figures have clearly dampened market expectations for another rate hike in October.

Economic calendar for Week 41

Below is an overview of the most important macroeconomic releases for the coming week. These figures may lead to increased volatility in the financial markets.

Monday, October 5, 2026:

United States:

• 4:00 p.m.: ISM Services Purchasing Managers' Index for September
  
  

Tuesday, October 6, 2026:

Europe

• 11:00 a.m.: Eurozone retail sales for August

Wednesday, October 7, 2026:

United States:

• 8:00 p.m.: Minutes of the September FOMC meeting
  
  

Thursday, October 8, 2026:

No major macroeconomic releases.

Friday, October 9, 2026:

No major macroeconomic releases.

Please note that publication dates and times are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, always consult the official communication channels of the relevant institutions and government agencies.

Disclaimer: Investinginvolves risks. 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 intended for educational purposes only.