The Week Ahead: Key Economic Events to Watch for August 24 – 28, 2026

Overview

This week brings a busy lineup of high-impact economic events across Australia, the United States, and Canada, with inflation, growth, labor-market, and energy data all in focus. Markets will be watching Australia’s CPI, the Federal Reserve’s preferred Core PCE inflation measure, revised US GDP figures, crude oil inventories, weekly unemployment claims, and Canada’s monthly GDP report. Together, these releases could shape expectations for interest rates, economic growth, and currency movements.

Investors will also be paying close attention to major corporate earnings, including NVIDIA, Salesforce, and Royal Bank of Canada, which could add further volatility to equity markets during the week.

High Impact Economic Events

Wednesday 04:30 am (GMT+3) – Australia: CPI m/m (AUD)

Wednesday 15:30 (GMT+3) – USA: Core PCE Price Index m/m (USD)

Wednesday 15:30 (GMT+3) – USA: Prelim GDP q/q (USD)

Wednesday 17:30 (GMT+3) – USA: Crude Oil Inventories (USD)

Thursday 15:30 (GMT+3) – USA: Unemployment Claims (USD)

Friday 15:30 (GMT+3) – Canada: GDP m/m (CAD)

Wednesday, August 26

04:30 am – Australia: CPI m/m (AUD)

The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicator is a key measure of inflation, tracking changes in the prices of goods and services across various categories of household expenditures. This data provides insight into consumer price trends, helping assess the cost of living and inflationary pressures. The CPI is used by policymakers, including central banks, to guide decisions on monetary policy, such as interest rates, and by businesses to adjust pricing strategies and contracts linked to inflation.

Australia’s annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.8% in the 12 months to June 2026, easing from 4.0% in May. The largest contributors to inflation were Housing (+6.8%), Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+3.3%), and Recreation and culture (+3.3%). Underlying inflation, measured by the trimmed mean, remained unchanged at 3.6%. On a monthly basis, CPI fell 0.1% in June, both in original and seasonally adjusted terms.

Economists expect consumer prices to rise 0.9% month over month in the next CPI report.

15:30 – USA: Core PCE Price Index m/m (USD)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) measure the value of goods and services consumed by individuals and households. It’s a key indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for a large portion of economic activity in the US. The PCE is often used to track inflation trends, as it includes data on prices paid by consumers. The Federal Reserve uses the PCE price index as its preferred measure of inflation to guide monetary policy decisions, aiming to maintain price stability in the economy.

The US economy grew at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from 2.1% in the first quarter. Growth was supported by stronger consumer spending, business investment, and exports, while lower government spending and higher imports held it back. Inflation remained elevated, with the PCE price index rising at a 5.1% annual rate during the quarter.

Economists expect the Core PCE to rise to around 0.2% in the next report.

15:30 – USA: Prelim GDP q/q (USD)

Gross domestic product (GDP) measures the value of final goods and services produced within the United States. Also known as value added, GDP is the value of goods and services produced by private industry and government, less the value of goods and services used up in production. GDP is also equal to the sum of personal consumption expenditures, gross private domestic investment, net exports of goods and services, and government consumption expenditures and gross investment.

Although these are quarterly figures, they are presented in an annualized form (quarterly change multiplied by four). GDP is published in three stages—Advance, Preliminary, and Final. The Advance release comes first and typically has the strongest market impact.

GDP growth may have a positive effect on US dollar quotes.

The US economy grew at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1% in the first quarter. Growth was supported by consumer spending, business investment, and exports, while lower government spending and higher imports reduced overall growth. Consumer and business demand remained relatively strong, but inflation was still elevated, with the PCE price index rising at a 5.1% annual rate during the quarter.

Economists expect the US economy to grow at a 1.5% annual rate in the next report.

17:30 – USA: Crude Oil Inventories (USD)

The Crude Oil Stocks Change Indicator is published weekly by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). It gauges the volume (barrels) of commercial crude oil held by US companies, influencing global oil prices. Increasing oil stocks signal reduced oil demand, potentially leading to a decline in oil prices per barrel.

US oil refineries were running at very high levels in the week ending August 14, operating at 97.2% of capacity. Crude oil inventories rose by 4.4 million barrels, while gasoline stocks also increased slightly. Distillate fuel inventories fell and remain well below normal levels for this time of year. Overall petroleum demand was weaker than a year ago, with total products supplied down 2.9% over the past four weeks.

Analysts expect commercial crude stockpiles to increase by 5.390 million barrels in the next report.

Thursday, August 27

15:30 – USA: Unemployment Claims (USD)

An initial claim is filed by an unemployed individual seeking eligibility for unemployment insurance after leaving a job. This count serves as a leading economic indicator, reflecting labor market conditions. However, because these are weekly administrative data, they can be volatile and challenging to adjust seasonally.

US jobless claims fell slightly in the week ending August 15, with 206,000 people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time, down 6,000 from the previous week. However, the four-week average increased, suggesting claims have edged up recently. Continuing unemployment claims also rose to about 1.8 million, while the insured unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.2%.

Economists expect initial unemployment claims to rise to 208,000 in the next report.

Friday, August 28

15:30 – Canada: GDP m/m (CAD)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a key measure of the economic output of a country or region. It represents the total value of goods and services produced, minus intermediate consumption like raw materials or components. GDP can be calculated using methods such as the value-added approach, which looks at the contribution of each sector to the economy. When GDP grows, it indicates economic expansion, while a slowdown or negative GDP may signal a recession. It’s used as a benchmark for the overall health of an economy.

Canada’s economy grew 0.3% in May, marking a second straight month of growth. Both goods and services industries expanded, with 13 of 20 sectors contributing. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction led the gains, helped by stronger oil sands production and increased support activity for oil and gas operations.

Economists expect Canada’s economy to grow by around 0.2% in the next report.

Company Earnings (August 24 – 28)

Wednesday, August 26: NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation)

Wednesday, August 26: CRM Salesforce, Inc.)

Thursday, August 27: RY (Royal Bank of Canada)

Conclusion

Overall, the week ahead could bring increased market volatility as investors assess new signals on inflation, economic growth, employment, and energy demand. Australia’s CPI and the US Core PCE report will be especially important for interest-rate expectations, while US GDP and Canada’s GDP data will provide a clearer picture of economic momentum. Crude oil inventories and unemployment claims may also influence sentiment in commodities and the US dollar. Alongside these economic releases, earnings from NVIDIA, Salesforce, and Royal Bank of Canada could drive additional moves in equity markets.