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Finance Footnotes is a quick guide of news and events to watch out for in the world of finance this week.
If you have investments or real estate, or if you trade stocks or currencies, these are some events and items to keep an eye on that could affect your money.
Here is the top finance news and events for the week of April 1 – 5, 2024.
The entire week
- The week starts with April Fools’ Day. Beware of pranks!
- Supply chains continue to react to the disaster in Baltimore as cargo destined for one of the busiest ports on the eastern seaboard is diverted elsewhere. Additionally, questions continue to be raised about the future and stability of transporting cargo by sea.
Monday, April 1
- U.S. ISM Report on Business – 10 a.m.: Released by the Institute for Supply Management, this survey of purchasing managers rates the overall conditions of business.
Tuesday, April 2
- German Consumer Price Index Data – data comes in from six areas throughout the day: One of the European Union’s biggest economies, German consumer price data is a major indicator of inflation. European based investments and currencies will watch this for major changes.
- U.S. Jolts Job Openings – 10 a.m.: The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases monthly data on new job openings. This can be a leading indicator of the overall employment situation in a country.
Wednesday, April 3
- U.S. Services ISM – 10 a.m.: The Institute for Supply Management releases a monthly report on business conditions, as reported by a survey of purchasing managers. This is often a leading indicator of economic health.
- U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Speaks – 12:10 p.m.: Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to speak at a forum hosted by Stanford University. Often speeches by high level politicians and central bank members can give clues toward future policy decisions and current sentiment.
Thursday, April 4
- U.S. Unemployment Claims – 8:30 a.m.: The number of new unemployment claims from the previous week.
Friday, April 5
- U.S. Hourly Earnings – 8:30 a.m.: Coupled with the Non-Farm Payroll numbers, this shows not only the change in wages paid, but is a leading indicator of inflation – a big concern around the world in recent times.
- U.S. Non-Farm Employment Rate – 8:30 a.m.: One of the biggest data releases each month, released on the first Friday of each month. This data shows the change in employment month over month. A very strong indicator of economic health and often a market mover.
- U.S. Unemployment Rate – 8:30 a.m.: Less important than the payroll numbers, this is also an important factor in overall economic health for obvious reasons.
- Canadian Unemployment Rate – 8:30 a.m.: The official unemployment rate for the previous month. Indication of the employment conditions in Canada, and financial health as a whole.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. All times indicated are in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Check out last week’s Finance Footnotes to see what you missed.