Key Economic Events This Week: Markets Closed Monday, Fed Minutes and PCE Data Ahead

Key Insights:

• Key economic events this week highlight Fed minutes, Q4 GDP, and December PCE inflation data.
• U.S. markets close Monday for Presidents’ Day before a packed schedule of economic releases.
• Earnings from 15% of S&P 500 firms add to rate-cut expectations and the policy outlook focus.

Key economic events this week will guide U.S. market sentiment as investors track inflation data, Federal Reserve signals, and fourth-quarter earnings. Trading will pause on Monday for Presidents’ Day before a dense schedule of economic releases resumes midweek.

Markets will focus on the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, fourth-quarter GDP figures, and December’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation data. In addition, roughly 15% of S&P 500 companies will report earnings. 10 Federal Reserve officials are also scheduled to speak.

Key Economic Events This Week Begin with Presidents’ Day Closure

U.S. stock markets will close on Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. The holiday is formally known as Washington’s Birthday.

The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, S&P 500, and bond markets will not operate. Trading will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The next scheduled closure will occur on Good Friday, April 3.

Presidents’ Day became a federal holiday in 1879. It originally honored George Washington’s birthday but later expanded to recognize all U.S. presidents. Congress has not officially changed the holiday’s name.

The 2026 market holiday schedule also includes Memorial Day on May 25, Juneteenth on June 19, Independence Day observed on July 3, Labor Day on Sept. 7, Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, and Christmas on Dec. 25. Markets will close early on Nov. 25 and Dec. 24.

Fed Minutes and Economic Data Take Center Stage

After Monday’s closure, key economic events this week will shift to data releases and central bank communication. On Tuesday, traders will review the Empire State manufacturing survey and the Home Builder Confidence Index for February.

Wednesday will bring several delayed housing reports for November and December, including housing starts and building permits. The Commerce Department will also release December durable goods orders and January industrial production data.

Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will publish minutes from its January Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Analysts expect the document to outline internal discussions between policymakers who favor steady rates and those open to cuts.

The Treasury Department will auction $16 billion in 20-year bonds on Wednesday. On Thursday, it will offer $9 billion in 30-year inflation-protected securities. Thursday’s economic calendar includes initial jobless claims, the December trade deficit, the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, and the leading economic index.

On Friday, the government will release advance fourth-quarter GDP data. Officials will also publish December personal income and spending figures alongside the PCE index.

The PCE index serves as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure. Investors will assess whether the data aligns with recent inflation trends.

Additional Friday releases include S&P flash U.S. services and manufacturing PMIs for February, delayed new home sales data, and preliminary February consumer sentiment figures.

Earnings and Rate Expectations Shape Market Outlook

Corporate earnings will add to the flow of key economic events this week. Companies scheduled to report fourth-quarter results include Walmart, Alibaba, Palo Alto Networks, Medtronic, DoorDash, and Occidental.

Recent labor data showed the U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs last month. That report followed earlier readings that indicated below-forecast inflation. Money markets currently price a 25 basis-point rate cut in July. Data from LSEG show expectations for around 60 basis points of total reduction in 2026.

Retail sales for December came in weak. Analysts have noted that fourth-quarter GDP data may reflect the impact of the prior government shutdown. Investors will review the Fed minutes for insight into policy direction. At the same time, they will track GDP and PCE figures to confirm economic momentum.