Market participants are still weighing the Fed’s policy outlook after last week’s release of the January meeting minutes and the latest US PCE data. For now, the US dollar remains under pressure. However, sentiment can shift quickly in response to new macroeconomic data, Trump’s comments, geopolitical developments, or fresh signals from the Fed.
In the week of February 23–March 1, traders will be watching key macroeconomic releases from Australia, Japan, Germany, Canada, the US, and China. The calendar is lighter than in the previous two weeks, but markets are unlikely to relax amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the continued unpredictability of US President Trump’s actions and tweets.
Note: During the coming week, new events may be added to the calendar, and/or some scheduled events may be canceled. GMT time
The article covers the following subjects:
Major Takeaways
- Monday: None scheduled.
- Tuesday: US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.
- Wednesday: Australia’s CPI, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock’s speech.
- Thursday: Japan’s CPI data.
- Friday: Switzerland’s GDP, Germany’s CPI, Canada’s GDP, and the US PPI.
- Sunday: China’s PMI data.
- Key event of the week: US PPI data.
Monday, February 23
There are no important macroeconomic statistics scheduled to be released.
Tuesday, February 24
15:00 – USD: US Consumer Confidence Index
A Conference Board’s survey of nearly 3,000 US households evaluates current and future economic conditions and overall economic sentiment. Consumer confidence in the country’s economic development and stability is a key indicator of consumer spending and, consequently, economic performance. High confidence levels suggest economic growth, while low levels indicate stagnation.
Previous indicator values: 84.5, 89,1, 88.7, 94.6, 94.2, 97.4, 97.2, 93.0, 98.0, 86.0, 92.9, 98.3, 104.1 in January 2025, 104.7 in December 2024, 111.7, 108.7, 98.7, 103.3, 100.3, 100.4, 102.0, 97.0, 104.7, 106.7, 114.8, 110.7, 102.0, 102.6, 103.0, 106.1, 117.0, 109.7, 102.3, 101.3, 104.2.
The increase in the indicator values will bolster the US dollar exchange rate, while the decrease will weaken it.
Wednesday, February 25
00:30 – AUD: Australian Consumer Price Index. Australia Trimmed Mean Inflation Rate
The Consumer Price Inflation Index, published by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, gauges retail prices of goods and services in Australia. The CPI is the most significant indicator of inflation and changes in consumer preferences. A high indicator reading is positive for the Australian dollar, while a low reading is negative.
Previous monthly values: +3.8% in December 2025, +3.4% in November, +3.8% in October, +3.6% in September, +3.2% in August, +3.0% in July, +1.9% in June, +2.1% in May, +2.4% in April, March, and February, +2.5% in January 2025, +2.5% in December 2024, +2.3% in November, +2.1% in October and September, +2.7% in August 2024.
The Australian central bank’s CPI inflation target ranges between 2% and 3%. According to the minutes of the recent RBA Board meeting, inflation risks have shifted to the upside. Some market participants are already pricing in a roughly 50-basis-point rate increase to 4.10% in 2026, which supports the Australian dollar in the medium term.
The expected positive CPI reading will likely strengthen the Australian dollar. If the indicator readings are worse than the forecast or the previous value, the Australian dollar will face short-term negative effects.
The trimmed mean measure of core inflation in Australia reflects the retail price of goods and services included in the consumer basket. The trimmed mean takes into account the weighted average of the middle 70% of index components.
Previous YoY values: +3.3% in December 2025, +3.2%, +3.3%, +3.2%, +3.0%, +3.0%, +2.8%, +3.0%, +3.1% in April 2025.
The data suggest that inflationary pressures remain robust. If the indicator reading turns out to be worse than expected, the Australian dollar will likely weaken. Conversely, if the indicator value exceeds the forecast, it may positively impact the currency in the short term.
08:40 – AUD: Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock’s Speech
Michele Bullock will assess the current state of Australia’s economy and outline her department’s monetary policy. Market participants anticipate her insights on the central bank’s policies amid global recessionary trends and elevated inflation levels in Australia.
Any signals regarding her plans to adjust the RBA’s monetary policy parameters will cause a sharp surge in the Australian currency and stock market volatility. If the Australian Central Bank Governor avoids discussing monetary policy, the market response will be muted.
Thursday, February 26
23:30 – JPY: Tokyo Consumer Price Index (CPI). Tokyo Core CPI excluding Food and Energy
Tokyo’s consumer price index, published by the Statistics Bureau of Japan, gauges the price change of a selected basket of goods and services over a given period. This index is a key indicator for assessing inflation and consumer preferences.
Previous values YoY:
- Tokyo CPI : +1.5%, +2.0%, +2.7%, +2.8%, +2.5%, +2.6%, +2.9%, +3.1%, +3.4%, +3.5%, +2.9%, +2.9%, +3.4%,+3.1%, +2.6%, +1.8%, +2.1%, +2.6%, 2.2%, +2.3%, +2.2%, +1.8%, +2.6%, +2.5%, +1.8%, +2.4%, +2.6%, +3.3%, +2.8%, +2.9%, +3.2%, +3.2%, +3.2%, +3.5%, +3.3%, + 3.4%, +4.4% in January 2023;
- Tokyo CPI excluding food and energy: +2.0%, +2.3%, +2.8%, +2.8%, +2.5%, +3.0%, +3.1%, +3.1%, +2.1%, +2.0%, +1.1%, +2.2%, +2.5%, +2.4%, +2.2%, +1.8%, +1.6%, +1.6%, +1.5%, +1.8%, +2.2%, +1.8%, +2.9%, +3.1%, +3.3%, +3.5%, +3.6%, +3.8%, +4.0%, +4.0%, +4.0%, +3.8%, +3.9%, +3.8%, +3.4%, +3.1%, +3.0% in January 2023.
The indicator reading lower than forecasted and/or previous values may weaken the yen, while a rise in the indicator may strengthen the currency.
Friday, February 27
07:00 – CHF: Swiss GDP for Q4 2025
GDP is considered an indicator of the general state of a country’s economy, which measures its growth or decline rate. The GDP report represents the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced by Switzerland over a given period. A rising trend of the GDP indicator is considered positive for the Swiss franc, while a low result is considered negative.
Previous values: -0.5% (+0.5% YoY), +0.1% (+1.2% YoY) in Q2 2025, +0.5% (+2.0% YoY) in Q1 2025, +0.2% (+1.5% YoY) in Q4 2024, +0.4% (+2.0% YoY) in Q3, +0.7% (+1.8% YoY) in Q2, +0.5% (+0.6% YoY) in Q1, +0.3% (+0.6% YoY) in Q4 2023, +0.3% (+0.3% YoY) in Q3, 0% (+0.5% YoY) in Q2, +0.3% (+0.6% YoY) in Q1 2023.
The data indicate that the Swiss economy is recovering, albeit still at a slow pace, which is a positive factor for the Swiss franc.
If the data prove to be lower than forecast, the Swiss franc may decline in the short term. However, the currency will not fall sharply, as it is in strong demand as a defensive asset. Better-than-forecast data may strengthen the franc in the short term.
13:00 – EUR: German Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (Preliminary Estimate)
The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) is published by the European Statistics Office and is calculated using a methodology agreed upon by all EU countries. The HICP is an indicator for measuring inflation and is used by the European Central Bank to assess price stability. A positive index result strengthens the euro, while a negative one weakens it.
Previous values YoY: +2.1%, +2.0%, +2.3%, +2.4%, +2.1%, +1.8%, +2.0%, +2.1%, +2.2%, +2.3%, +2.6%, +2.8% in January 2025, +2.6%, +2.8% in December 2024, +2.4%, +2.4%, +1.8%, +2.0%, +2.6%, +2.5%, +2.8%, +2.4%, +2.3%, +2.7%, +3.1% in January 2024, +3.8% in December, +2.3% in November, +3.0% in October, +4.3% in September, +6.4% in August, +6.5% in July, +6.8% in June, +6.3% in May, +7.6% in April, +7.8% in March, +9.3% in February, +9,2% in January, +9.6% in December, +11.3% in November, +11.6% in October, +10.9% in September, +8.8% in August, +8.5% in July, +8.2% in June, +8.7% in May, +7.8% in April, +7.6% in March, +5.5% in February, +5.1% in January 2022.
The data indicate a slowdown in inflation in Germany, which, in turn, is forcing the ECB to ease its monetary policy, especially given the risks of recession in the Eurozone.
If the index value turns out to be lower than the previous one, the euro may weaken. Conversely, if inflation resumes rising, the euro may strengthen. An increase in the index is a positive factor for the euro.
If the February reading proves higher than the previous one, the euro may appreciate in the short term.
13:30 – CAD: Canadian GDP. Canada’s Annual GDP Growth
The release of Canada’s GDP report by Statistics Canada. A positive report bolsters the Canadian dollar, while a weak GDP report negatively affects the currency.
Canada’s quarterly GDP report reflects the total volume of all goods and services produced by Canada during the quarter (YoY) and is considered an indicator of the overall Canadian economy. GDP posted +0.6% (+2.6% YoY) in Q3 2025, after -0.4% (-1.6% YoY) in Q2 2025, +0.5% (+2.2% YoY) in Q1 2025, +0.6% (+2.6% YoY) in Q4 2024, +0.3% (+1.0% YoY), +0.5% (+2.1% YoY) in Q2, +0.4% (+1.7% YoY) in Q1 2024, +0.2% (+1.0% YoY) in Q4 2023, a decline of -0.3% (-1.1% YoY) in Q3, -0.2% in Q2, +2.6% growth in Q1 2023, zero growth in Q4, +2.9% growth in Q3 2022, +3.3% in Q2 2022, +3.1% in Q1 2022 (YoY).
If the Q4 2025 data is better than the previous and/or forecasted value, the Canadian dollar will strengthen.
13:30 – USD: Producer Price Index (PPI
The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the average change in wholesale prices determined by manufacturers at all stages of production. The index is one of the leading inflation indicators in the United States, estimating the average change in wholesale producer prices.
Rising production costs increase wholesale selling prices, which ultimately boosts inflation. In normal economic conditions, growing inflation usually puts upward pressure on the national currency quotes, implying a tighter central bank monetary policy.
Previous values: +0.5% (+3.0% YoY), +0.2% (+3.0% YoY), +0.3% (+2.7% YoY), -0.1% (+2.7% YoY), +0.7% (+3.1% YoY), 0% (+2.4% YoY), +0.4% (+2.7% YoY), -0.2% (+2.4% YoY), -0.2% (+3.2% YoY), 0.1% (+3.4% YoY), +0.7% (+3.8% YoY) in January 2025.
If the data exceeds the forecasted value, the US dollar will likely strengthen. Conversely, if the data falls below forecasted and previous values, this will exert pressure on the Fed. This could lead to the Fed’s monetary policy easing, which will negatively impact the US dollar.
Sunday, March 1
01:30 – CNY: China’s Manufacturing and Services PMI by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP)
This indicator is an essential gauge of the overall Chinese economy. An indicator reading above 50 is positive for the yuan, while a value below 50 is negative for the currency.
Previous values: 49.3 in January 2026, 50.1 in December 2025, 49.2, 49.0, 49.8, 49.4, 49.7, 49.5, 50.5, 50.2, 49.1 in January 2025, 50.1 (December 2024), 50.3, 50.1, 49.8, 49.1, 49.4, 49.5, 50.4, 50.8, 49.2, 49.0, 49.5, 50.2, 49.3, 49.0, 48.8, 49.2, 51.9, 52.6, 50.1 in January. The relative rise in the index above 50 strengthens the yuan. Data above 50 indicates increased economic activity, positively affecting the national currency. Conversely, if the index value is below 50, the yuan will face pressure and probably decline.
Likewise, the services sector PMI assesses the state of the services sector in the Chinese economy. An indicator result above 50 is seen as positive for the yuan. Previous values: 449.4 in January 2026, 50.2 in December 2025, 49.5, 50.1, 50.0, 50.3, 50.5, 50.3, 50.8, 50.4, 50.2 in January 2025, 52.2 in December 2024, 50.0, 50.2, 50.0, 50.3, 50.2, 50.5, 51.2, 53.0, 50.7, 50.4, 50.6, 51.7, 51.5, 53.2, 54.5, 56.4, 58.2, 56.3, 54.4 in January. Despite the relative decline, the indicator is still above the 50 value, likely influencing the yuan positively. Conversely, the indicator below 50 suggests that the yuan will face pressure and probably decline.
Price chart of USDX in real time mode
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