Global markets head into a pivotal week as a dense slate of economic data and central bank communication shapes expectations around growth, inflation, and interest-rate trajectories. Investors will closely track GDP readings, inflation indicators, flash PMI surveys, and policy signals from major central banks, alongside a heavy global earnings calendar spanning retail, technology, industrials, and commodities.

America: In the US, focus turns to Federal Reserve meeting minutes for clues on the policy outlook after its recent pause in rate cuts. Markets will also digest advance Q4 GDP estimates, personal income and spending data, and the core PCE inflation gauge, in addition to housing, manufacturing, and sentiment indicators. Corporate earnings will remain in focus throughout the shortened week. In Canada, investors will assess inflation, retail sales, trade balance, and housing data for insight into domestic demand conditions.

Europe: European markets will centre on February flash PMI surveys for early signals on business activity across the manufacturing and services sectors. UK inflation, labour market, wage growth, and retail sales data will be closely watched for guidance on the next move by the Bank of England, following its recent split policy decision. Elsewhere, Eurozone industrial production and confidence indicators, along with Germany’s ZEW sentiment and producer price data, will help gauge regional momentum.

Asia-Pacific: In Asia, China’s Lunar New Year holidays will reduce trading activity, shifting attention to Japan’s Q4 GDP, inflation, trade, and PMI releases. India will publish wholesale inflation, trade, unemployment, and flash PMI data, offering insight into domestic growth trends. In Australia, markets will analyse the Reserve Bank of Australia meeting minutes alongside employment, wage growth, and PMI readings. Policy decisions and trade data from Southeast Asia will round out the regional calendar.