The week ahead
This week delivers critical insights into US labour market resilience and consumer confidence, alongside corporate earnings that will test economic narratives around consumer spending and business investment. However, the release schedule remains contingent on resolution of the US federal government shutdown, which suspended last week’s critical employment data. September’s non-farm payrolls and unemployment rate await publication once normal operations resume, while this week’s scheduled releases including initial jobless claims similarly depend on the shutdown’s conclusion.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes on Thursday morning (HK time) will provide essential detail on policymakers’ September deliberations, particularly regarding the pace and magnitude of future rate adjustments. Fed Chair Powell’s speech later that evening assumes heightened significance, as investors seek clarity on whether recent economic data warrants recalibrating the central bank’s easing trajectory.
Should the government shutdown end, US initial jobless claims data on Thursday will offer a timely assessment of labour market conditions. The delayed September non-farm payrolls figure, for which consensus expects 50,000 following the disappointing 22,000 August reading, will prove particularly consequential for October’s monetary policy decision. Any material deviation from expectations could reshape rate cut probability and intensify market volatility.
Australia’s economic sentiment indicators will shape Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) policy considerations, following the central bank’s decision to maintain the cash rate at 3.6%. The Board noted signs that private demand is recovering and indications that inflation may persist in some areas. Tuesday’s Westpac consumer confidence reading will reveal whether recent economic headwinds are dampening sentiment, potentially influencing the RBA’s assessment of whether its gradual easing path remains appropriate.