The past week was marked by heightened volatility as three of the world’s major central banks, the Fed, the Bank of Japan, and the Bank of England, held policy meetings. The Fed’s interest rate decision was the week’s key event. Next week (21.09.2026–27.09.2026), investors will focus on major economic data releases from Germany, the eurozone, the US, the UK, and Australia, while also assessing the outcomes of the Swiss National Bank and People’s Bank of China meetings. Meanwhile, developments in the Middle East and fluctuations in oil prices are expected to remain key market drivers.
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: The People’s Bank of China interest rate decision; speech by the Bank of Canada governor.
- Tuesday: Speech by the RBA governor.
- Wednesday: Preliminary PMI data for Germany, the eurozone, the UK, and the US.
- Thursday: Australian employment data; Swiss National Bank interest rate decision.
- Friday: No major releases scheduled.
- Key event: Preliminary PMI data for Germany, the Eurozone, the UK, and the US.
Monday, September 21
01:15 – CNY: People’s Bank of China Interest Rate Decision
Since May 2012, the People’s Bank of China has been lowering its interest rate to support Chinese manufacturers. Last time, the bank reduced the rate in May 2025 after a long pause, bringing the rate down by 0.1% to its current level of 3.00%.
What will the Chinese central bank do this time after pausing? The People’s Bank of China will likely keep the interest rate unchanged at 3.00% at this meeting, although other decisions are also possible.
Should the People’s Bank of China make statements that deviate from expectations, volatility may increase across the entire financial market, particularly in the Asian market. Investors will closely watch the bank’s assessment of the Chinese economy’s prospects and its policy stance in the short term.
15:00 – CAD: Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem’s Speech
The Canadian economy, like the global economy, is showing signs of slowing. Investors will be watching closely for Macklem’s assessment of the economic outlook and the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy as inflation continues to ease.
If Tiff Macklem mentions the Bank of Canada’s monetary policy, Canadian dollar volatility will rise sharply. A signal of monetary policy tightening will bolster the Canadian dollar. Conversely, an intent to ease monetary policy will negatively affect the currency.
Additionally, Tiff Macklem will likely clarify the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate decision and provide guidance for investors ahead of the central bank’s upcoming meeting.
Tuesday, September 22
03:10 – 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, rising energy prices caused by the military conflict in the Middle East, 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.
Wednesday, September 23
07:30 – EUR: Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers’ Indexes of the German Economy by S&P Global. Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index of the German Economy by S&P Global (Preliminary Release)
The manufacturing and services PMIs are important indicators of the business environment and the health of the German economy. These sectors play a significant role in Germany’s GDP. A reading above 50 indicates a positive outlook and bolsters the euro, while a reading below 50 is negative for the euro. Conversely, data worse than the forecast and/or the previous value will prove to be negative for the euro.
Previous values:
- Manufacturing PMI: 54.3, 52.2, 50.3, 50.1, 51.4, 52.2, 50.9, 49.1, 47.0, 48.2, 49.6, 49.5, 49.8, 49.1, 49.0, 48.3, 48.4, 48.3, 46.5, 45.0, 42.5 in December 2024, 43.0, 43.0, 40.6, 42.4, 43.2, 43.5, 45.4, 42.5, 41.9, 42.5, 45.5, 43.3, 40.8, 39.6, 38.8, 40.6, 43.2, 44.5, 44.7, 46.3, 47.3, 47.1, 46.2, 45.1, 47.8, 49.1, 49.3, 52.0, 54.8, 54.6;
- Services PMI: 49.7, 49.8, 48.6, 48.1, 46.9, 50.9, 53.5, 52.4, 52.7, 53.1, 54.6, 51.5, 49.3, 50.6, 49.7, 47.1, 49.0, 50.9, 51.1, 52.5, 51.2 in December 2024, 49.3, 51.6, 50.6, 51.2, 52.5, 53.1, 54.2, 53.2, 50.1, 48.3, 47.7, 45.7, 48.2, 50.3, 52.3, 54.1, 57.2, 56.0, 53.7, 50.9, 50.7, 49.2, 46.1, 46.5, 45.0, 47.7, 49.7, 52.4, 55.0, 57.6, 56.1, 55.8;
- Composite PMI: 51.8, 51.3, 49.5, 48.8, 48.4, 51.9, 53.2, 52.1, 51.3, 52.4, 53.9, 52.0, 50.5, 50.6, 50.4, 48.5, 50.1, 51.3, 50.4, 50.5, 48.0 in December 2024, 47.2, 48.6, 47.5, 48.4, 49.1, 50.4, 52.4, 50.6, 47.7, 46.3, 47.0, 47.4, 45.9, 46.4, 48.5, 50.6, 53.9, 54.2, 52.6, 50.7, 49.9, 49.0, 46.3, 45.1, 45.7, 46.9, 48.1, 51.3, 53.7, 54.3, 55.1, 55.6.
08:00 – EUR: Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers’ Indexes. Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index of Eurozone Manufacturing Activity by S&P Global (Preliminary Release)
The Eurozone manufacturing and services PMIs are significant indicators of the European economy. Readings above 50 are positive and strengthen the euro, while readings below 50 are negative for the currency. If the figures are worse than the forecast and/or the previous value, the euro will be affected negatively.
Previous values:
- Manufacturing PMI: 52.7, 51.9, 51.4, 51.6, 52.2, 51.6, 50.8, 49.5, 48.8, 49.6, 50.0, 49.8, 50.7, 49.8, 49.5, 49.4, 49.0, 48.6, 47.6, 46.6, 49.6 in December 2024, 45.2, 46.0, 45.0, 45.8, 45.8, 45.8, 47.3, 45.7, 46.1, 46.5, 46.6, 44.4, 43.1, 47.2, 42.7, 43.4, 44.8, 45.8, 47.3, 48.5, 48.8 in January 2023;
- Services PMI: 51.6, 51.7, 49.4, 47.7, 47.6, 50.2, 51.9, 51.6, 52.4, 53.6, 53.0, 51.3, 50.5, 51.0, 50.5, 49.7, 50.1, 51.0, 50.6, 51.3, 51.6 in December 2024, 49.5, 51.6, 51.4, 52.9, 51.9, 52.8, 53.2, 53.3, 51.5, 50.2, 48.4, 48.8, 47.8, 48.7, 50.9, 52.0, 55.1, 56.2, 55.0, 52.7, 50.8 in January 2023;
- Composite PMI: 52.0, 52.0, 50.0, 48.5, 48.8, 50.7, 51.9, 51.3, 51.5, 52.8, 52.5, 51.2, 51.0, 50.9, 50.6, 50.2, 50.1, 50.9, 50.2, 50.2, 49.6 in December 2024, 48.3, 50.0, 49.6, 51.0, 50.2, 50.9, 52.2, 51.7, 50.3, 49.2, 47.9, 47.6, 46.5, 47.2, 48.6, 52.8, 54.1, 53.7, 52.0, 50.3, 49.3 in January 2023.
08:30 – GBP: Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers’ Index. Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index of the UK Manufacturing Sector by S&P Global (Preliminary Release)
The manufacturing and services PMIs serve as a vital indicator of the UK economy’s health. The services sector employs the majority of the UK’s working-age population and contributes approximately 75% of GDP. Financial services continue to be the most important part of the services sector. If the data is worse than the forecast and the previous value, the British pound will likely experience a short-term but sharp decline. If the data exceeds the forecast and the previous value, it will have a positive impact on the currency. At the same time, a PMI reading above 50 is favorable and strengthens the British pound, while a reading below 50 is negative for the currency.
Previous values:
- Manufacturing PMI: 51.7, 51.9, 52.5, 53.9, 53.7, 51.0, 51.7, 51.8, 50.6, 50.2, 49.7, 46.2, 47.0, 48.0, 47.7, 46.4, 45.4, 44.9, 46.9, 48.3, 48.0, 49.9, 51.5, 52.5, 52.1, 50.9, 51.2, 49.1, 50.3, 47.5, 47.0, 46.2, 44.8, 44.3, 45.3, 46.5, 47.1, 47.8, 47.9, 49.3, 47.0, 45.3, 46.5, 46.2, 48.4;
- Services PMI: 52.5, 52.1, 48.8, 49.3, 52.7, 50.5, 53.9, 54.0, 51.4, 51.3, 52.3, 50.8, 54.2, 51.8, 52.8, 50.9, 49.0, 52.5, 51.0, 50.9, 51.1 in December 2024, 50.8, 52.0, 51.4, 53.7, 52.5, 52.1, 52.9, 55.0, 53.1, 53.8, 54.3, 53.4, 49.5, 49.3, 51.5, 53.7, 55.2, 55.9, 52.9, 53.5, 48.7, 49.9, 48.8, 48.8, 50.0, 50.9, 52.6;
- Composite PMI: 52.5, 52.2, 49.3, 49.7, 52.6, 50.3, 53.7, 53.7, 51.4, 51.2, 52.2, 50.1, 53.5, 51.5, 52.0, 50.3, 48.5, 51.5, 50.5, 50.6, 50.4 in December 2024, 50.5, 51.8, 49.6, 53.8, 52.8, 52.3, 53.0, 54.1, 52.8, 53.0, 52.9, 52.1, 48.7, 48.5, 50.8, 52.8, 54.0, 54.9, 52.2, 53.1, 48.5 in January 2023.
13:45 – USD: Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers’ Index of the US Economy by S&P Global. Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (Preliminary Release)
The PMIs of the most important US economic sectors, released by S&P Global, are an important gauge of US economic conditions. A PMI reading above 50 signals growth in business activity, bolstering the US dollar, whereas a reading below 50 bodes negatively for the greenback.
Previous values:
- Manufacturing PMI: 53.9, 53.9, 53.9, 55.1, 54.5, 52.3, 51.6, 52.4, 51.8, 52.2, 52.5, 52.0, 53.0, 49.8, 52.0, 52.0, 50.2, 50.2, 52.7, 51.2, 49.4 in December 2024, 49.7, 48.5, 47.6, 47.9, 49.6, 51.6, 51.3, 50.0, 51.9, 52.2, 50.7, 47.9, 50.0, 49.8, 49.0, 46.3, 48.4, 50.2, 47.3, 46.9, 46.2, 47.7, 50.4, 52.0, 51.5;
- Services PMI: 56.5, 54.6, 51.2, 50.7, 51.0, 49.8, 51.7, 52.7, 52.5, 54.1, 54.8, 54.2, 54.5, 55.7, 52.9, 53.7, 50.8, 54.4, 51.0, 52.9, 56.8 in December 2024, 56.1, 55.0, 55.2, 55.7, 55.0, 55.3, 54.8, 51.3, 51.7, 52.3, 52.5, 51.4, 50.6, 50.1, 52.3, 54.4, 54.9, 53.6, 50.6, 46.8, 44.7, 46.2, 47.8, 49.3, 43.7, 47.3, 52.7, 53.4, 55.6;
- Composite PMI: 56.0, 54.5, 51.9, 51.5, 51.7, 50.3, 51.9, 53.0, 52.7, 54.2, 54.6, 53.9, 54.6, 55.1, 52.9, 53.0, 50.6, 53.5, 51.6, 52.7, 55.4 in December 2024, 54.9, 54.1, 54.0, 54.6, 54.3, 54.8, 54.5, 51.3, 52.1, 52.5, 52.0, 50.9, 50.7, 50.2, 52.0, 53.2, 54.3, 53.4, 52.3, 50.1, 46.8 in January 2023.
Thursday, September 24
01:30 – AUD: Employment Change. Unemployment Rate
The employment rate reflects the monthly change in the number of employed Australian citizens. An increase in the indicator value positively impacts consumer spending, stimulating economic growth. A high reading is positive for the Australian dollar, while a low reading is negative. Previous indicator values: -15,800 in July, +76,300 in June, +44,000 in May, -40,700 in April, +23,300 in March, +49,700 in February, +26,100 in January 2026, +68,500 in December 2025, -28,700 in November, +41,100 in October, +12,800 in September, -11,800 in August, +26,500 in July, +1,000 in June, -1,100 in May, +87,600 in April, +25,500 in March, -54,200 in February, +34,900 in January 2025, +60,000 in December 2024.
Besides, the Australian Bureau of Statistics will publish a report on the unemployment rate. It is an indicator that estimates the ratio of the share of the unemployed population to the total number of working-age citizens. The rise in the indicator readings demonstrates the weakening of the labor market, negatively impacting the national economy. A decrease in the indicator is positive for the Australian dollar.
Forecast: Australian unemployment remained at its lowest levels and stood at 4.5% in August 2026 (against 4.4% in July, June, and May, 4.5% in April, 4.3% in March and February, 4.1% in January 2026 and December 2025, 4.3% in November and October, 4.5% in September, 4.3% in August, 4.2% in July, 4.3% in June, 4.1% in May, April, March, February, and January 2025, 4.0% in December 2024, 3.9% in November, 4.1% in October, September, and August, 4.2% in July, 4.1% in June, 4.0% in May, 4.1% in April, 3.7% in March and February, 4.1% in January, 3.9% in December and November, 3.8% in October, 3.6% in September, 3.7% in August and July, 3.5% in June, 3.6% in May, 3.7% in April, 3.5% in March and February, 3.7% in January, 3.5% in December, 3.4% in November and October, 3.5% in September and August, 3.4% in July, 3.5% in June, 3.9% in May and April, 4.0% in March and February, 4.2% in January), while the employment rate has increased.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has repeatedly stated that the Australian economy and the central bank’s plans are influenced by key indicators like the level of household debt and spending, wage growth, and the state of the labor market, in addition to the international trade situation. If the indicator readings are lower than expected, the Australian dollar may decline significantly in the short term, while higher data will strengthen the currency.
07:30 – CHF: Swiss National Bank’s Interest Rate Decision. SNB Monetary Policy Statement
Recently, the Swiss franc has once again gained popularity as a safe-haven asset. However, the possibility of intervention is currently preventing the currency from experiencing significant growth. SNB executives emphasize that intervening in the foreign exchange market is crucial for maintaining the low investment appeal of the franc and alleviating upward pressure on the currency.
The deposit rate is widely anticipated to remain at 0.0%, following a series of reductions at each of the last eight meetings since March 2024.
Besides, traders will scrutinize the SNB statement for signals regarding further monetary policy plans. The hawkish tone of the statement will favor the Swiss franc. Conversely, the soft tone and inclination to resume the loose monetary policy will negatively affect the currency. If the SNB board makes unexpected statements, volatility in the currency market and the Swiss franc is expected to increase.
08:00 – CHF: Swiss National Bank Press Conference.
The SNB press conference will commence after the release of the interest rate decision. During the press conference and the speech of SNB chairman Martin Schlegel, who succeeded Thomas Jordan at the end of September 2024, volatility in the Swiss franc will surge. Traders expect signals regarding further plans for the SNB’s monetary policy. The hawkish tone of Martin Schlegel’s speech will bolster the Swiss franc, while a softer tone and the SNB’s inclination towards a soft monetary policy will negatively affect the franc. Volatility in the currency market and in the value of the Swiss franc is expected to rise.
Friday, September 25
There are no important macroeconomic statistics scheduled for release.
Saturday, September 26
New Zealand switches to daylight saving time.
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