The week commencing December 16, 2024, promises to be a crucial period for global financial markets. Investors will be closely monitoring interest rate decisions from several key central banks, including the Federal Reserve, whose announcement is among the most highly anticipated events of the week. Alongside these central bank updates, critical macroeconomic data releases will shape market sentiment, with inflation figures playing a central role.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the week’s major economic events, organized by day:
Monday, 16 December 2024
- Asian Session:
- Chinese Industrial Production data release.
- Chinese Retail Sales figures due midday.
- European Session:
- Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI data from:
- France.
- Germany.
- The broader European Union.
- UK Flash PMI figures.
- Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI data from:
- New York Session:
- Flash Manufacturing and Services PMI numbers for the United States.
- Key speeches from central bank officials, including:
- ECB President Christine Lagarde.
- Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem.
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
- Asian Session:
- Light schedule with no major data releases.
- European Session:
- UK Employment data, including:
- Unemployment rate.
- Wage growth statistics.
- German ZEW Economic Sentiment and IFO Business Climate surveys.
- UK Employment data, including:
- New York Session:
- Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures.
- US Retail Sales data for November.
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
- Asian Session:
- Quiet start with limited significant economic events.
- European Session:
- UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.
- Additional inflation metrics for the UK economy.
- New York Session:
- Federal Reserve (FOMC):
- Federal Funds rate announcement.
- Accompanying policy statement.
- Press conference with Chair Jerome Powell.
- Market participants are expected to closely analyze Fed communications for future monetary policy direction.
- Federal Reserve (FOMC):
Thursday, 19 December 2024
- Asian Session:
- New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report.
- Bank of Japan interest rate decision.
- European Session:
- Bank of England (BoE) Official Bank Rate decision.
- BoE’s accompanying monetary policy report.
- New York Session:
- US Final GDP figures for Q3.
- Weekly Unemployment Claims.
- Philly Fed Manufacturing Index.
Friday, 20 December 2024
- Asian Session:
- Chinese Loan Prime Rates (LPR) announcement.
- Further economic updates from Chinese markets.
- European Session:
- UK Retail Sales data.
- New York Session:
- Canadian Retail Sales figures.
- US Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index—a key inflation metric closely watched by the Federal Reserve.
This week’s events are poised to create significant volatility across markets. Investors and market participants should remain vigilant as central bank decisions and economic data releases unfold, providing crucial insights into the state of the global economy and future monetary policy trajectories.
