Americas

As the fourth-quarter earnings season winds down, only a handful of companies remain on the docket, including Broadcom, JD Sports Fashion, and Costco Wholesale. In the US, the economic calendar is packed, highlighted by the February jobs report, ISM PMI surveys, and January retail sales. The economy is expected to have added around 60,000 jobs last month, slowing from 130,000 in January, while the unemployment rate is seen holding steady at 4.3%. Average hourly earnings are forecast to rise 0.3%, easing from the prior 0.4% gain. ISM data is likely to show manufacturing activity expanding at a slightly slower pace in February, while services growth accelerates. Also, retail sales likely edged down 0.2% in January, following a flat reading in December, pointing to continued pressure on consumer spending. Additional releases include the ADP employment report, Challenger job cuts, January foreign trade prices, fourth-quarter labor productivity, December business inventories, consumer credit. Elsewhere in America, Canada will publish PMI readings from S&P Global and Ivey Business School, while Mexico reports on business confidence. In Brazil, investors will monitor fourth-quarter GDP, S&P Global PMIs, industrial production, unemployment, and trade data.

US Congress, Washington DC

Europe

Euro Area inflation will be in focus next week as annual headline CPI is expected to hold at 1.7% and core inflation at 2.1%. The unemployment rate across the bloc is projected to remain at 6.2%, the lowest on record. In Germany, factory orders are forecast to decline after four straight monthly gains and retail sales are seen falling following a modest December rebound. In Italy, consumer prices are expected to rise 0.2% on the month, leaving the annual rate unchanged, while manufacturing PMI is likely to show contraction easing toward stabilization. Spain and Italy services PMIs are set to indicate slower but still solid expansion. Additional releases include Euro Area PPI, retail sales and final GDP, France industrial output, Spain jobs data, Italy GDP and budget figures, and UK mortgage approvals and car sales. The ECB will also publish accounts of its latest rate decision. In the UK, the key economic event next week is Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s spring statement on Tuesday, where she will present the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. Although the HM Treasury has played down the likelihood of major policy changes such as tax increases, the statement will outline the state of the economy, available fiscal headroom, and gilt issuance plans. Earlier in the week, markets will also see housing data from Nationwide Building Society, along with mortgage approvals and final February PMI figures.

ECB Headquarters and Frankfurt Skyline, Germany

Asia Pacific

In China, markets will focus on the annual “Two Sessions” meetings, scheduled for March 4th–11th, where delegates from across the country will set key economic targets and outline policy priorities. Beijing is also expected to unveil its 15th Five-Year Plan, detailing development objectives for 2026–2030. Investors will additionally monitor both official and private PMI surveys, which are expected to show a moderation in manufacturing activity. In Japan, attention will turn to the latest unemployment data, with the jobless rate seen holding at 2.6%. Consumer confidence is expected to edge higher, while capital spending growth is projected at 3%. Final PMI readings are also due. In Australia, the week is packed with major economic releases, including GDP figures, with the economy expected to have expanded at a slightly faster 0.6% quarter-on-quarter pace in Q4. Other key data include trade, job advertisements, commodity prices, building permits, household spending, and current account figures. In India, the calendar will be lighter, though industrial production data are scheduled for release. Elsewhere in the region, PMI surveys are due across several major economies, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Trade data are also scheduled from Indonesia, while inflation figures will be released in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Additionally, Bank Negara Malaysia is set to announce its latest monetary policy decision.

Beijing, China