Week’s main events (December 29 – January 02)
This week is proceeding without any significant macroeconomic triggers. Due to the New Year holidays, most global exchanges will be closed for about 2 days, likely keeping market activity low and volatility subdued. The key US labor market report (Non-Farm Payrolls) has been postponed until next week. Investors remain focused on the manufacturing purchasing managers‘ indices (PMIs) for major economies, which can provide insight into the state of the manufacturing sector. In addition, the market will be watching weekly statistics on crude oil and natural gas inventories, as these data traditionally have a significant impact on energy price dynamics. It will also be important for investors to assess the minutes of the latest FOMC meeting for insights into monetary policy prospects and the tone of the committee’s discussion.
On Monday, market participants will focus on crude oil and natural gas inventory data, which was postponed from last week due to the Christmas holidays. These reports may set the tone for trading in the energy sector and influence short-term price dynamics. The situation on the oil market remains tense: rising inventories amid weakening demand are creating a negative balance and increasing pressure on prices in the medium term. If the statistics show another increase in reserves, this could be an additional catalyst for oil sell-offs.
- – US Pending Home Sales (m/m) at 17:00 (GMT+2); – USD (MED)
- – US Crude Oil Reserves (w/w) at 17:30 (GMT+2); – WTI (HIGH)
- – US Natural Gas Storage (w/w) at 19:00 (GMT+2). – XNG (HIGH)
On Tuesday, the key event will be the publication of the minutes of the last FOMC meeting. Given the approaching New Year holidays, the market is unlikely to show sharp price movements, but the document’s content remains important for shaping investor expectations. Particular attention will be paid to signals regarding the future course of US monetary policy in the coming months. A softer, more dovish rhetoric from the committee could raise expectations of an interest rate cut as early as the first quarter of 2026, putting pressure on the US dollar in the medium term.
- – Switzerland KOF Leading Indicators (m/m) at 10:00 (GMT+2); – CHF (MED)
- – US Chicago PMI (m/m) at 16:45 (GMT+2); – USD (MED)
- – US FOMC Meeting Minutes at 21:00 (GMT+2). – USD (MED)
Trading activity will be limited on Wednesday due to a shortened banking day in many regions: early closures are expected in Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia, while banks in Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway will be completely closed. Against the backdrop of reduced liquidity, market movements are likely to remain subdued. The key focus of the day will be data on business activity in China. The predicted improvement in indicators could create a moderately positive mood and support Asian stock markets at the start of the new year.
- – China Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 03:30 (GMT+2); – CHA50, HK50 (MED)
- – China Non-Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 03:30 (GMT+2); – CHA50, HK50 (MED)
- – US Crude Oil Reserves (w/w) at 17:30 (GMT+2); – WTI (HIGH)
- – US Natural Gas Storage (w/w) at 19:00 (GMT+2). – XNG (HIGH)
Almost all financial centers worldwide have a bank holiday on Thursday due to New Year’s celebrations. No significant events are expected.
- – Australia Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 00:00 (GMT+2); – AUD (MED)
- – Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 11:00 (GMT+2); – EUR (MED)
- – UK Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 11:30 (GMT+2); – GBP (MED)
- – Canada Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 16:30 (GMT+2); – CAD (MED)
- – US Manufacturing PMI (m/m) at 16:45 (GMT+2). – USD (MED)
by , 2025.12.29