Key Economic Events: Week Of 16th March 2026
Release Date: 16th March 2026
What to Expect in Markets This Week: This week features a supercharged central bank schedule with multiple interest rate decisions including RBA, BoC, SNB, BoE, and the ECB. The highlight is the FOMC Economic Projections and Fed Interest Rate Decision on March 18th, followed by the FOMC Press Conference. Key data releases include US PPI, Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index, Initial Jobless Claims, and New Home Sales. Japan observes Vernal Equinox holiday on March 20th. Fed Chair Powell speaks on March 21st. The next Fed Interest Rate Decision is scheduled for April 29th, 2026.
17 March 2026
AUD - RBA Interest Rate Decision (Mar)
Date:
17-Mar-26, Tue, 09:00 IST
Currency:
AUD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
3.85%
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the AUD. The RBA announces its decision on the official cash rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth in Australia. A rate hike is bullish for the AUD, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
18 March 2026
EUR - CPI (YoY) (Feb)
Date:
18-Mar-26, Wed, 15:30 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
1.90%
Notes:
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes in the price level of a basket of goods and services consumed by households. Higher CPI readings indicate rising inflation and may strengthen the EUR as it could prompt the ECB to consider tighter monetary policy. A higher than expected reading is bullish for the EUR.
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USDJPY EURUSD
USD - PPI (MoM) (Feb)
Date:
18-Mar-26, Wed, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
0.50%
Notes:
The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the average change in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. It is a key indicator of inflation at the wholesale level. Higher PPI readings can signal future consumer inflation. A higher than expected reading is bullish for the USD.
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USDJPY EURUSD
CAD - BoC Interest Rate Decision
Date:
18-Mar-26, Wed, 19:15 IST
Currency:
CAD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.25%
Notes:
The Bank of Canada (BoC) Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the CAD. The BoC announces its decision on the overnight rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth in Canada. A rate hike is bullish for the CAD, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
USD - FOMC Economic Projections
Date:
18-Mar-26, Wed, 23:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-
Notes:
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Economic Projections, also known as the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), includes forecasts for GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation. The projections also include the dot plot, which shows individual FOMC members' expectations for the federal funds rate. This release provides crucial insights into the Fed's policy outlook.
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USDJPY EURUSD
USD - Fed Interest Rate Decision
Date:
18-Mar-26, Wed, 23:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
CME FedWatch Tool
Previous:
3.63%
Notes:
The Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the USD. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announces its decision on the target federal funds rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth. A rate hike is bullish for the USD, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
19 March 2026
USD - FOMC Press Conference
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 00:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-
Notes:
The FOMC Press Conference follows the Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision and Economic Projections. The Fed Chair provides insights into the committee's thinking on monetary policy, economic outlook, and potential future rate moves. Markets closely watch for any hawkish or dovish commentary.
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USDJPY EURUSD
CHF - SNB Interest Rate Decision (Q1)
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 14:00 IST
Currency:
CHF
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
0.00%
Notes:
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the CHF. The SNB announces its decision on the policy rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth in Switzerland. A rate hike is bullish for the CHF, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
GBP - BoE Interest Rate Decision (Mar)
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 17:30 IST
Currency:
GBP
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
3.75%
Notes:
The Bank of England (BoE) Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the GBP. The BoE's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announces its decision on the official bank rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth in the UK. A rate hike is bullish for the GBP, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
USD - Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (Mar)
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
1630.00%
Notes:
The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index measures the level of general business conditions in the manufacturing sector in the Philadelphia Federal Reserve district. A reading above zero indicates expansion, while below zero signals contraction. A higher than expected reading is bullish for the USD.
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USDJPY EURUSD
USD - Initial Jobless Claims
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-
Notes:
Initial Jobless Claims measures the number of people who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time during the past week. It is a key leading indicator of the labor market health. A lower than expected reading is bullish for the USD, while a higher reading is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
EUR - Deposit Facility Rate (Mar)
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 18:45 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.00%
Notes:
The European Central Bank (ECB) Deposit Facility Rate is the interest rate banks receive for depositing excess reserves with the ECB overnight. It is one of the key policy rates used to implement monetary policy in the Eurozone. A rate hike is bullish for the EUR, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
EUR - ECB Interest Rate Decision (Mar)
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 18:45 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.15%
Notes:
The European Central Bank (ECB) Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the EUR. The ECB's Governing Council announces its decision on the main refinancing operations rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth in the Eurozone. A rate hike is bullish for the EUR, while a rate cut is bearish.
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USDJPY EURUSD
EUR - ECB Press Conference
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 19:15 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-
Notes:
The ECB Press Conference follows the European Central Bank Interest Rate Decision. The ECB President provides insights into the Governing Council's thinking on monetary policy, economic outlook, and potential future rate moves. Markets closely watch for any hawkish or dovish commentary.
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USDJPY EURUSD
USD - New Home Sales (Jan)
Date:
19-Mar-26, Thur, 19:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
745K
Notes:
New Home Sales measures the annualized number of new single-family homes that were sold during the previous month. It is a key indicator of the health of the housing market and consumer confidence. A higher than expected reading is bullish for the USD.
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USDJPY EURUSD
20 March 2026
JPY - Japan - Vernal Equinox
Date:
20-Mar-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
The Vernal Equinox Day is a national holiday in Japan celebrating the arrival of spring. Financial markets are typically closed on this day, leading to lower liquidity for JPY pairs.
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Legacy
21 March 2026
USD - U.S. Fed Chair Powell Speaks
Date:
21-Mar-26, Sat, 20:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-
Notes:
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speeches are closely watched by markets for insights into the Fed's monetary policy outlook. His comments can provide guidance on future interest rate decisions and economic projections. Markets may react to any hawkish or dovish remarks.
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USDJPY EURUSD
29 April 2026
USD - Fed Interest Rate Decision
Date:
29-Apr-26, Wed, 23:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
CME FedWatch Tool
Previous:
3.63%
Notes:
The Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision is one of the most important economic events for the USD. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announces its decision on the target federal funds rate, which influences borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth. A rate hike is bullish for the USD, while a rate cut is bearish.
Learn More:
USDJPY EURUSD