Economic Preview: Key Data Releases for January 2026 (week of 09Feb2026)
Retail Sales
Retail sales data for December is scheduled for release, with the forecast indicating moderate growth at 0.4%. This suggests steady consumer spending as the year closes.
Labour Market Indicators
Average hourly earnings are expected to show a 0.3% increase, reflecting wage growth. The non-farm payrolls for January are forecasted at 70,000, highlighting a moderate pace of job creation. The unemployment rate for January is expected to remain unchanged from the previous month at 4.4%, signalling some stability in the labour market.
Energy and Bond Markets
Crude oil inventories previously saw a significant drawdown of over 3.4 million barrels. On the fixed income side, both the 10-year note and the 30-year bond auctions will take place. The results of these auctions are important, as rising yields compared to previous auctions may indicate a shift in investor preference toward safer assets.
Equities and Jobless Claims
The initial jobless claims forecast stands at 222,000. Deviations from this forecast could contribute to market volatility, as this metric is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve in its interest rate decision-making process.
Housing Market and Inflation
For existing home sales in January, the forecast is 4.22 million units, indicating the expected level of activity in the housing market. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January is projected to increase by 0.3% month-over-month. This inflation figure will be a key reference for the Federal Reserve as it considers its next steps regarding interest rates.
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