The Week Ahead: Key Economic Events to Watch for March 16 – 20, 2026

Overview

The upcoming week will be packed with high-impact economic events that could drive volatility across major currencies and financial markets. Investors will closely monitor inflation data, central bank interest rate decisions, employment figures, and GDP releases from key economies, including the United States, Canada, Australia, the Eurozone, the United Kingdom, Japan, and New Zealand.

Particular attention will be on several central bank rate decisions, including those from the Federal Reserve, Bank of Canada, Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Swiss National Bank, and the European Central Bank, which may provide further clues about the global monetary policy outlook. In addition, key indicators such as US PPI, Canada’s CPI, Australia’s employment data, and New Zealand’s GDP will offer insights into economic momentum and future policy direction.

High Impact Economic Events

Monday 14:30 (GMT+2) – Canada: CPI m/m (CAD)

Tuesday 05:30 am (GMT+2) – Australia: Cash Rate (AUD)

Wednesday 14:30 (GMT+2) – USA: PPI m/m (USD)

Wednesday 15:45 (GMT+2) – Canada: Overnight Rate (USD)

Wednesday 20:00 (GMT+2) – USA: Federal Funds Rate (USD)

Wednesday 23:45 (GMT+2) – New Zealand: GDP q/q (NZD)

Thursday 02:30 am (GMT+2) – Australia: Employment Change (AUD)

Thursday Tentative – Japan: BOJ Policy Rate (JPY)

Thursday 09:00 am (GMT+2) – UK: Claimant Count Change (GBP)

Thursday 10:30 am (GMT+2) – Switzerland: SNB Policy Rate (CHF)

Thursday 14:00 (GMT+2) – UK: Official Bank Rate (GBP)

Thursday 15:15 (GMT+2) – Eurozone: Main Refinancing Rate (EUR)

Monday, March 16

14:30 – Canada: CPI m/m (CAD)

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a key measure of inflation, tracking changes in the prices of a fixed basket of goods and services over time. It covers eight major categories: food, shelter, household operations, clothing, transportation, health and personal care, recreation and education, and alcohol and tobacco.

Inflation slowed slightly in January, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 2.3% year over year, down from 2.4% in December. The slowdown was mainly due to lower gasoline prices.

Excluding gasoline, prices rose 3.0%, showing that many everyday items are still becoming more expensive, including restaurant meals and some consumer goods.

On a monthly basis, prices were unchanged in January.

Economists expect a 0.7% monthly increase in the Consumer Price Index in the next release.

Tuesday, March 17

05:30 am – Australia: Cash Rate (AUD)

Interest Rate Decision is one of the key instruments of the national monetary and credit policy of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

A higher interest rate leads to the appreciation of the Australian dollar.

The central bank raised the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.85%. The move reflects concerns that inflation, which picked up again in late 2025, may stay above target due to strong demand, a tight labor market, and rising housing activity.

Economists anticipate the Reserve Bank of Australia will raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10%.

Wednesday, March 18

14:30 – USA: PPI m/m (USD)

The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the average change in prices received by producers for goods, services, and construction. The PPI covers a broad range of industries and is used alongside other economic indicators like the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures price changes from the buyer’s perspective. Growth in the index can have a positive effect on dollar quotes.

In January, U.S. producer prices rose 0.5%, following increases of 0.4% in December and 0.2% in November. The rise was mainly driven by higher prices for services, while goods prices declined slightly. Over the past 12 months, producer prices increased 2.9%.

Economists expect a 0.3% increase in the next release.

15:45 – Canada: Overnight Rate (USD)

The Bank of Canada uses the target for the overnight rate, also known as the policy interest rate, to control inflation. This rate influences other interest rates in the economy, affecting loans, mortgages, and savings. The Bank adjusts this rate to either stimulate economic growth by lowering it (encouraging spending) or to curb inflation by raising it (encouraging savings). The target rate is part of the Bank’s broader strategy to maintain economic stability.

The Bank of Canada kept its interest rate unchanged at 2.25%, in line with expectations. Despite economic uncertainty, the bank indicated it was comfortable with the current rate level, and no changes were expected by year-end. However, risks were seen as slightly tilted to the dovish side, while USD/CAD had upside potential.

Economists expect the Bank of Canada to keep the interest rate unchanged.

20:00 – USA: Federal Funds Rate (USD)

The Federal Reserve adjusts monetary policy by changing its target range for the federal funds rate, which impacts overnight borrowing rates for banks. Lowering the target, or “easing,” reduces interest rates to stimulate the economy during slow growth, low inflation, or high unemployment. Raising the target, or “tightening,” increases rates to cool an overheating economy, high inflation, or low unemployment. These rate changes affect broader financial conditions, influencing household and business spending, and ultimately impacting economic activity, employment, unemployment, and inflation.

In January, the Federal Reserve kept the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. The Fed noted that the economy was expanding at a solid pace, inflation remained somewhat elevated, and it would continue monitoring incoming data to guide future policy decisions.

Economists expect the Federal Reserve to keep the rate at 3.75%.

23:45 – New Zealand: GDP q/q (NZD)

New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the official measure of economic growth. It is calculated using two methods: the production approach, which measures the total value of goods and services produced minus production costs, and the expenditure approach, which measures final purchases of goods and services, adding exports and subtracting imports. An increase in GDP may have a positive impact on the quotes of the New Zealand dollar (NZD).

In the September 2025 quarter, the economy grew by 1.1%, recovering from a 1.0% decline in the previous quarter. However, GDP was still 0.5% lower compared with a year earlier.

Economists expect a 0.4% growth in the upcoming release.

Thursday, March 19

02:30 am – Australia: Employment Change (AUD)

The Australian Employment Change tracks the monthly variation in the number of officially employed individuals in the country. An increase in employment indicates a stronger labor market and can positively influence the value of the Australian dollar.

In January 2026, employment increased by 24,700 people, reaching 14.7 million. Both full-time and part-time jobs rose, while the employment-to-population ratio edged up to 64.0%. Meanwhile, the participation rate declined slightly to 66.7%, and the underemployment rate remained at 5.9%.

Economists expect employment to add 20,300 new jobs in the next release.

Tentative – Japan: BOJ Policy Rate (JPY)

The Bank of Japan’s monetary policy aims to achieve price stability, which is crucial for supporting economic activity. Price stability helps individuals and firms make informed decisions about consumption and investment, ensuring efficient resource allocation. To this end, the Bank set a 2% inflation target (CPI) in 2013 and remains committed to reaching this goal as soon as possible.

In January, the Bank of Japan decided to keep its policy rate unchanged, guiding the uncollateralized overnight call rate to remain around 0.75%. The decision was approved by an 8–1 majority vote.

Economists expect the BOJ to keep the policy rate at 0.75%.

09:00 am – UK: Claimant Count Change (GBP)

The Claimant Count Change indicates the number of individuals who began claiming unemployment benefits in a given month.

A rise in the claimant count signals a labor market downturn and might negatively impact GDP.

In January 2026, the UK Claimant Count rose by 28,600 from the previous month to 1.69 million, but remained 29,800 lower than a year earlier.

Economists forecast 24,500 new unemployment claims in the next release.

10:30 am – Switzerland: SNB Policy Rate (CHF)

In December, the Swiss National Bank kept its policy rate unchanged at 0%. It also stated that it remains ready to intervene in the foreign exchange market if necessary.

Analysts expect the SNB to keep the policy rate unchanged.

14:00 – UK: Official Bank Rate (GBP)

In February 2026, the Bank of England kept the Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% in a close 5–4 vote, while signaling that further rate cuts may be considered as inflation pressures ease.

Economists expect the BOE to keep the bank rate unchanged at 3.75%.

15:15 – Eurozone: Main Refinancing Rate (EUR)

In February, the European Central Bank kept its key interest rates unchanged, with the deposit rate at 2.00%. The ECB said inflation is expected to stabilize around its 2% target, while the outlook remains uncertain due to global trade and geopolitical risks.

Analysts expect the ECB to keep the rate unchanged.

Company Earnings (March 16 – 20)

Tuesday, March 17: LULU (lululemon athletica inc.)

Wednesday, March 18: MU (Micron Technology, Inc.)

Thursday, March 19, BABA (Alibaba Group Holding Limited)

Conclusion

Overall, the week ahead is likely to be pivotal for global markets as investors digest key inflation readings, labor market data, and multiple central bank rate decisions. These releases may provide clearer signals about the direction of monetary policy and the strength of economic activity across major economies. As a result, traders should be prepared for increased volatility in currency markets as new data and policy guidance shape expectations for the months ahead.