During the coming week (August 24-30, 2026), no major macroeconomic data releases are scheduled. The markets will focus primarily on the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, organized annually by the Federal Reserve.
On Thursday, August 27, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh plans to speak at the symposium on monetary policy (the exact time has not yet been specified). The main topic of concern for market participants remains the likelihood and extent of further monetary policy tightening by the Fed this year and next.
Market participants will also assess key macroeconomic data from the US, Australia, Japan, and Canada, and continue to monitor developments in the Middle East.
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: Reserve Bank of Australia Meeting Minutes, US Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.
- Wednesday: Australian CPI figures, US GDP and PCE data.
- Thursday: Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Japanese CPI data for Tokyo.
- Friday: Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Canada’s GDP.
- Sunday: Jackson Hole Economic Symposium.
- Key event: Jackson Hole Economic Symposium and Wednesday’s release of US PCE figures.
Monday, August 24
There are no important macroeconomic statistics scheduled for release.
Tuesday, August 25
01:30 – AUD: Reserve Bank of Australia Meeting Minutes
The document is published two weeks after the meeting and the interest rate decision. If the RBA is optimistic about the country’s labor market and GDP growth rate and is hawkish on the inflation outlook, the rate may be increased at the next meeting, which is favorable for the Australian dollar. The bank’s dovish rhetoric on inflation, in particular, is putting pressure on the Australian dollar.
At the August meeting, the interest rate was left unchanged at 4.35%.
RBA Governor Michelle Bullock said uncertainty over the outlook for the economy and inflation remains elevated. Although conditions have improved, she warned that upside inflation risks remain and that further interest rate action cannot be ruled out.
The accompanying statement noted: “While the impact of the Middle East conflict on inflation has so far been less than expected, headline inflation is still too high.” “Accordingly, the Board will be attentive to the data and the evolving assessment of the outlook and risks to guide its decisions.”
If the released minutes contain unexpected information regarding the RBA’s monetary policy issues, the volatility in the Australian dollar will increase.
14:00 – USD: US Consumer Confidence Index
The 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: 90.8, 91.2, 93.1, 92.8, 91.8, 91.2, 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.
An increase in the indicator values will bolster the US dollar exchange rate, while a decrease will weaken it.
Wednesday, August 26
01:30 – 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 values YoY: +3.8% in July, +4.0% in June, +4.2% in April, +4.6% in March, +3.7% in February, +3.8% in January 2026 and 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 an increase to 4.85% 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 is published by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It 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: +3.6%, +3.6%, +3.4%, +3.3% in March, February, and January 2026, +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.
12:30 – USD: US GDP Annual Growth Rate for Q2 (Second Estimate). Personal Consumption Expenditures (Core PCE Price Index)
The GDP data is one of the key indicators, along with labor market and inflation data, for the US Fed in terms of its monetary policy. A positive indicator reading strengthens the US dollar, while a weak GDP report is harmful for the currency. In Q1 2026, GDP posted +2.1% after +0.5% in Q4 2025, +4.4% in Q3, +3.8% in Q2, -0.6% in Q1, +1.9% in Q4 2024, +3.3% in Q3, +3.6% in Q2, +0.8% in Q1 2024, +3.4% in Q4 2023.
If the data indicate a decline in GDP in Q2 2026, the US dollar will face significant pressure. Conversely, positive GDP figures will bolster the greenback and US stock indices.
The preliminary estimate stood at +1.5%.
The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data reflect the average amount of money consumers spend per month on durable goods, consumer goods, and services. The core PCE price index excludes food and energy prices. The annual core PCE is the main inflation gauge used by the US Fed as the primary inflation indicator.
The inflation rate, along with the labor market and GDP data, is crucial for the Fed in determining its monetary policy. Growing prices exert pressure on the central bank to tighten its policy and raise interest rates.
The PCE data above the forecasted and/or previous values may boost the US dollar, while a decline in the reading will likely exert a negative impact on the greenback.
Previous values YoY: +3.3% in June, +3.4% in May, +3.3% in April, +3.2% in March, +3.0%, +3.1% in January 2026, +3.0% in December 2025, +2.8%, +2.8%, +2.8%, +2.9%, +2.9%, +2.8%, +2.8%, +2.6%, +2.7%, +3.0%, +2.8% in January 2025.
Thursday, August 27
All day: The Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole Symposium dedicated to economic and monetary policy issues.
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, measures the change in the prices of a selected basket of goods and services over a given period. Since Tokyo is the most densely populated region in Japan, this index is considered a key indicator for assessing inflation and consumer preferences.
Previous values YoY:
- Tokyo CPI: +1.7%, +1.4%, +1.5%, +1.4%, +1.5%, +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: +1.9%, +1.6%, +1.9%, +2.3%, +2.5%, +2.4%, +2.6%, +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, August 28
All day: The Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole Symposium dedicated to economic and monetary policy issues.
12:30 – 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% (-0.1% YoY) in Q1 2026, after -0.2% (-0.6% YoY) in Q4 2025, +0.6% (+2.4% YoY) in Q3 2025, -0.5% (-1.8% YoY) in Q2 2025, +0.5% (-2.0% YoY) in Q1 2025, +0.6% (+2.1% YoY) in Q4 2024.
If the Q2 2026 data is better than the previous and/or forecasted value, the Canadian dollar will strengthen.
Saturday, August 29
All day: The Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole Symposium dedicated to economic and monetary policy issues.
Price chart of USDX in real time mode
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