The Week Ahead: Key Economic Events to Watch for December 29 – January 2, 2026 

The upcoming week features several high-impact U.S. economic events that could drive volatility in the US dollar, oil prices, and broader markets. Key releases will provide fresh insight into the health of the housing market, energy supply conditions, labor market strength, and manufacturing activity, alongside a small set of notable corporate earnings. Traders and investors will be watching these data points closely for signals on economic momentum heading into the new year.

High Impact Economic Events

Monday 17:00 (GMT+2) – USA: Pending Home Sales m/m (USD)

Monday 17:30 (GMT+2) – USA: Crude Oil Inventories (USD)

Wednesday 15:30 (GMT+2) – USA: Unemployment Claims (USD)

Friday 16:45 (GMT+2) – USA: Final Manufacturing PMI (USD)

Monday, December 29

17:00 – USA: Pending Home Sales m/m (USD)

The Pending Home Sales indicator reflects the number of home sales contracts signed in the given month compared to the previous one.

Growth in the indicator may have a positive effect on US dollar quotes.

In November, pending home sales rose 1.9%, showing a modest improvement in the housing market. Gains were seen mainly in the Midwest and South, where homes are more affordable, while sales fell in the West and Northeast, where prices are higher.

Economists say buyers may have more room to negotiate during the holiday season as homes usually stay on the market longer at this time of year.

Economists expect the next report to show a 0.9% rise in pending home sales.

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

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

U.S. oil refineries ran at very high levels last week, processing more crude oil and producing more gasoline, while diesel production fell. Crude oil imports declined slightly, and U.S. crude oil stockpiles dropped by 1.3 million barrels, leaving inventories about 4% below normal levels for this time of year.

Gasoline inventories rose, but diesel supplies, while slightly higher, are still below average. Overall fuel demand was slightly higher than last year, although demand for gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel remains weaker than in the same period in 2024.

Economists expect the US crude oil stockpiles to drop by 2.0 million barrels.

Wednesday, December 31

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.

New claims for unemployment benefits fell in mid-December, suggesting some improvement in the labor market. Initial claims dropped to 224,000, down from the previous week, although recent figures were slightly revised. The overall trend was little changed, with the four-week average edging higher.

New claims for unemployment benefits fell last week, showing that fewer people are losing their jobs. Initial claims dropped to 214,000, suggesting the labor market remains stable.

However, the number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits rose slightly, and the insured unemployment rate edged up to 1.3%. Overall, the data points to a job market that is still healthy, though some workers are taking a bit longer to find new jobs.

Economists expect 215,000 jobless claims.

Friday, January 2

16:45 – USA: Final Manufacturing PMI (USD)

The Manufacturing PMI is a monthly survey of US manufacturing activity. It includes a composite index that indicates sector expansion if above 50% and contraction if below. The report tracks changes in key indicators such as New Orders, Production, and Employment, offering insights into the health of the manufacturing sector and the broader economy.

In November, U.S. manufacturing continued to grow, with higher factory output and increased hiring. However, weaker demand, especially from overseas, led to a record buildup of unsold goods. Costs remained high due to tariffs, but manufacturers became more optimistic about the outlook ahead.

Economists expect a growth reading of 51.8.

Company Earnings (December 29- January 2)

Monday, December 29: DJCO (Daily Journal Corporation)

Monday, December 29: RR (Richtech Robotics Inc.)

Wednesday, December 31: AXG (Solowin Holdings)

Conclusion

Overall, the week’s data will help confirm whether the U.S. economy is ending the year on a stable footing. Housing activity, labor market trends, manufacturing performance, and oil inventory figures may all influence short-term market sentiment, making this an important period for traders and investors to stay alert as the new year begins.