Key Economic Events: Week Of 26th April 2026
Release Date: 26th April 2026
What to Expect in Markets This Week: This week features the South Africa Freedom Day holiday, major Asian and European macro releases, three central bank rate decisions (BoJ, BoC, BoE, ECB) and a full slate of U.S. inflation and PMI data. Multiple labor/day holidays on May 1st and around mid-June liquidity expectations around the next Fed Interest Rate Decision on 17 June 2026 are important for the USD.
27 April 2026
ZA - South Africa - Freedom Day
Date:
27-Apr-26, Mon, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Freedom Day commemorates the first democratic election in 1994 in South Africa. Local financial markets are usually closed, and ZAR liquidity can be materially thinner.
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Legacy
28 April 2026
JP - BoJ Interest Rate Decision
Date:
28-Apr-26, Tue, 08:30 IST
Currency:
JPY
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
0.75%
Notes:
The Bank of Japan's interest-rate policy decision sets short-term financing conditions in one of the largest economies. A hawkish tilt can pressure JPY higher, while dovish guidance may weaken JPY and support risk assets.
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USDJPY EURJPY
US - CB Consumer Confidence (Apr)
Date:
28-Apr-26, Tue, 19:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
91.8
Notes:
Consumer Confidence tracks household sentiment and can lead spending behavior. A stronger reading supports expectations of resilient consumption, which is usually USD positive.
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USDJPY EURUSD
29 April 2026
JP - Japan - Showa Day
Date:
29-Apr-26, Wed, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Showa Day is a national holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of Emperor Hirohito. Japanese markets and FX volatility can be muted due to local holiday observance.
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Legacy
DE - German CPI (MoM) (Apr)
Date:
29-Apr-26, Wed, 17:30 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
1.10%
Notes:
Core German CPI is a major inflation signal for the euro area and can influence ECB inflation expectations and EUR price action in the short term.
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EURJPY EURUSD
US - Durable Goods Orders (MoM) (Mar)
Date:
29-Apr-26, Wed, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-1.30%
Notes:
Durable Goods Orders measure orders for big-ticket goods with future production implications. A stronger number usually suggests firm business demand, supporting growth expectations and potentially the USD.
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USDJPY EURUSD
CA - BoC Interest Rate Decision
Date:
29-Apr-26, Wed, 19:15 IST
Currency:
CAD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.25%
Notes:
The Bank of Canada decision is central to CAD valuation and North American growth expectations. A hawkish bias often supports CAD and can push broader risk sentiment higher.
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USDCAD CADJPY
USD - Fed Interest Rate Decision
Date:
29-Apr-26, Wed, 23:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
CME FedWatch Tool
Previous:
3.75%
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
USD - FOMC Press Conference
Date:
29-Apr-26, Thu, 00:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
-
Notes:
The FOMC press conference follows the policy decision and can significantly shift the USD as investors focus on forward guidance and language around inflation and growth.
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USDJPY EURUSD
30 April 2026
CN - Manufacturing PMI (Apr)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 07:00 IST
Currency:
CNY
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
50.4
Notes:
The Manufacturing PMI tracks changes in Chinese manufacturing activity. A reading above 50 points to expansion and can affect global trade sentiment and Chinese growth outlook.
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USDCNY USDCNH
DE - German GDP (QoQ) (Q1)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 13:30 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
0.30%
Notes:
German quarterly GDP measures overall economic momentum in Europe's largest economy. A stronger print supports growth and can lift EUR through stronger euro-zone outlook expectations.
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EURJPY EURUSD
EU - CPI (YoY) (Apr)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 14:30 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.60%
Notes:
Eurozone CPI is a key inflation indicator for ECB policy expectations. Sustained upside surprises are generally EUR bullish as they imply less probability of near-term rate cuts.
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EURJPY EURUSD
UK - BoE Interest Rate Decision (Apr)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 16:30 IST
Currency:
GBP
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
3.75%
Notes:
The Bank of England decision and statements shape expectations for UK inflation control and growth. A hawkish signal can support GBP, especially in interest-rate-sensitive risk channels.
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GBPJPY GBPUSD
EU - ECB Interest Rate Decision (Apr)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 17:45 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.15%
Notes:
The ECB policy decision is central to euro-zone rate expectations. Any forward guidance change is often more market-moving than the actual setting itself.
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EURJPY EURUSD
EU - Deposit Facility Rate (Apr)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 17:45 IST
Currency:
EUR
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
2.00%
Notes:
The ECB deposit facility rate is the lending floor for banks and links closely with interbank liquidity conditions. Changes tend to reinforce or fine-tune broader policy expectations.
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EURJPY EURUSD
US - GDP (QoQ) (Q1)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
0.50%
Notes:
U.S. GDP is a leading benchmark for growth momentum. A stronger-than-expected print often supports the USD and can increase expectations for a less accommodative monetary policy path.
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USDJPY EURUSD
US - Core PCE Price Index (YoY) (Mar)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
3.00%
Notes:
Core PCE YoY is closely watched by the Fed. A hotter print can strengthen the Fed hawkish narrative and support the USD in the near term.
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USDJPY EURUSD
US - Core PCE Price Index (MoM) (Mar)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 18:00 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
0.40%
Notes:
Core PCE MoM provides a short-horizon read on inflation momentum. A sticky month-to-month print can prolong expectations for tighter policy.
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USDJPY EURUSD
US - Chicago PMI (Apr)
Date:
30-Apr-26, Thu, 19:15 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
52.8
Notes:
The Chicago PMI tracks manufacturing conditions in the Chicago Fed district. Like other PMI readings, values above 50 imply growth expansion and can shift USD expectations.
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USDJPY EURUSD
1 May 2026
BR - Brazil - Workers Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Workers Day is a national holiday in Brazil and generally a non-event for local liquidity, reducing immediate BRL trading activity around domestic desks.
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Legacy
CN - China - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
China's Labor Day holiday can reduce activity in domestic fixed income and FX desks, often lowering CNY liquidity around regional session windows.
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Legacy
FR - France - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
France observes Labor Day on May 1st. Trading volumes can dip in French and pan-European related desks during the holiday session.
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Legacy
DE - Germany - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Germany's labor day holiday reduces liquidity in EUR trading desks and can widen intraday bid/offer conditions in short bursts.
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Legacy
HK - Hong Kong - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Labor Day in Hong Kong generally shuts equity and local FX desks for most of the session, making USDHKD and adjacent risk flows less liquid.
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Legacy
IN - India - Maharashtra Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Maharashtra Day is a major regional holiday in India. INR liquidity around domestic participants can narrow during the Indian workday.
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Legacy
IT - Italy - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Italy observes a national holiday on May 1st, reducing market depth in EUR pairs tied to local sovereign and interbank flows.
Learn More:
Legacy
RU - Russia - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Russia's labor day holiday can reduce market activity in adjacent FX desks, with higher impact on local USD-RUB microstructure than mainstream EUR cross pairs.
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Legacy
SG - Singapore - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Singapore Labor Day affects liquidity in SGD and broader APAC FX crossover flows during the holiday window.
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Legacy
ZA - South Africa - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
South Africa's Labor Day is observed as a national holiday, often reducing trading depth in ZAR pair activity.
Learn More:
Legacy
ES - Spain - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Spain observes Labor Day with local market closures and lower intraday liquidity in EUR-linked exposures.
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Legacy
CH - Switzerland - Labor Day
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, All Day
Currency:
Holiday
Importance:
3
Forecast:
-
Previous:
-
Notes:
Swiss public holidays can dampen CHF market depth, especially around regional clearing desks and intraday carry positioning.
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Legacy
US - S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Apr)
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, 19:15 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
52.3
Notes:
The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI gauges manufacturing activity in the U.S. economy. Readings above 50 support growth expectations and can influence early policy discussion.
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USDJPY EURUSD
US - ISM Manufacturing PMI (Apr)
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, 19:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
52.7
Notes:
ISM Manufacturing PMI is a key U.S. factory-sector report. A stronger number supports the case for sustained growth and can affect expectations for USD policy settings.
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USDJPY EURUSD
US - ISM Manufacturing Prices (Apr)
Date:
01-May-26, Fri, 19:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
Link
Previous:
78.3
Notes:
ISM Prices gives early input on inflation trends in manufacturing supply chains. Sticky prices can reinforce a more hawkish inflation narrative for the Fed.
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USDJPY EURUSD
17 June 2026
USD - Fed Interest Rate Decision
Date:
17-Jun-26, Wed, 23:30 IST
Currency:
USD
Importance:
3
Forecast:
CME FedWatch Tool
Previous:
3.63%
Notes:
The Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision remains the top USD catalyst in the medium term. The July 2026 event will again set expectations for future policy direction and near-term risk sentiment. This appears as the next Fed decision in this calendar sequence.
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USDJPY EURUSD