The most important economic events this week. Read here which events you will find in the economic calendar this week and which ones you should pay special attention to in your activities on the financial markets. All listed events have the potential to move the markets to a greater or lesser extent. You can find the results of each event in the economic calendar.
This week brings several macroeconomic data releases, but the most important events are no fewer than five interest rate decisions by major central banks. The decisions by the Fed, the ECB and the BoE are likely to receive the greatest attention from market participants.
Tuesday 17.03.2026
04:30 CET (GMT+1)
RBA interest rate decision | Australia | AUD, Indices
In Australia, inflation recently fell from 1.3% to just 0.6%, even though the RBA had already raised the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. Analysts now expect the RBA to increase rates again to 4.10% in order to counter deflation. This could be positive for the AUD, while potentially weighing on Australian stocks and indices.
11:00 CET (GMT+1)
ZEW economic sentiment | Germany | EUR, Indices
After the ZEW indicator improved from August to December, it fell short of expectations again last January and declined by 1.3 points. Forecasts for February now even expect a drop of 19.4 points to 38.9. Due to the consequences of the Iran conflict, forecasts may even prove too optimistic, which could weigh on the euro as well as on indices in Germany and across the eurozone.
Wednesday 18.03.2026
11:00 CET (GMT+1)
Consumer Price Index (CPI) | Eurozone | EUR, Indices
Last month inflation in Germany rose slightly from 1.7% to 1.9%, placing it close to the ECB’s target of 2%. For February, analysts expect consumer prices to rise to 2.4%, which would once again move inflation above the central bank’s target level. Inflation data is currently particularly important for market participants because it may provide clues about the ECB’s future policy direction. Due to sharply rising energy prices and a weakening eurozone economy, the ECB could face increasing pressure to act. However, rising inflation could also limit the possibility of further monetary easing.
13:30 CET (GMT+1)
Producer Price Index (PPI) | USA | USD, Indices
Producer prices in the United States increased by 0.5% month-on-month in each of the last two months. For February, forecasts expect a smaller increase of 0.3%. If this decline in inflation data is confirmed, it could strengthen hopes for an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in June, which could be negative for the US dollar but positive for dollar-denominated assets.
15:30 CET (GMT+1)
US crude oil inventories | USA | Oil prices
Data on US crude oil inventories will likely be closely monitored by investors and traders amid the Iran crisis. On the one hand, the data provides insight into the possible direction of oil prices. On the other hand, it reflects developments in sectors that depend heavily on oil. Generally, higher inventories tend to weigh on oil prices, while lower inventories tend to support them.
19:00 CET (GMT+1)
Federal Reserve interest rate decision | USA | USD, Indices
The Fed last cut interest rates in October 2025 to the current level of 3.75%. After a rate cut expected for early 2026 failed to materialize due to macroeconomic conditions, forecasts now suggest the Federal Reserve will leave rates unchanged in March. This could be positive for the US dollar but negative for assets denominated in it. In addition to the rate decision itself, market participants will closely watch the press conference with Fed Chair Powell at 19:30 CET for clues about the central bank’s future policy direction.
Thursday 19.03.2026
04:00 CET (GMT+1)
BoJ interest rate decision | Japan | JPY, Indices
Japan continues to maintain the lowest interest rate among major industrialized economies. Inflation in Japan recently declined and, at 1.7%, remains below a level that would suggest further rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. Forecasts therefore expect the policy rate to remain unchanged, which would at least not be negative for the still weak yen.
13:00 CET (GMT+1)
BoE interest rate decision | United Kingdom | GBP, Indices
The Bank of England faces a difficult situation. On the one hand, the UK economy is showing only minimal growth and could benefit from additional support and further monetary easing. On the other hand, inflation remains at around 3%, clearly above the BoE’s target level, which significantly limits room for rate cuts. Accordingly, forecasts expect the interest rate to remain unchanged at 3.75% at this meeting.
13:00 CET (GMT+1)
ECB interest rate decision | Eurozone | EUR, Indices
The eurozone economy is weakening and is being further burdened by rising energy prices due to the crisis in the Persian Gulf. Nevertheless, forecasts suggest the European Central Bank will leave interest rates unchanged at 2.15% at its March meeting. Particular attention will also be paid to the press conference starting at 14:45 CET with ECB President Christine Lagarde, as markets hope for signals regarding the future direction of ECB monetary policy.
14:30 CET (GMT+1)
Initial jobless claims | USA | USD, Indices
After the disappointing NFP data, the figures for initial and continuing jobless claims in the United States may receive particular attention. Rising claims could strengthen hopes for an earlier interest rate cut by the Fed, which could support US indices and stocks.
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