Economic data releases include employment costs and consumer sentiment on Friday

As traders approach the final day of July, a series of important economic data releases are scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, that could influence market sentiment heading into the weekend. The day’s calendar features the Employment Cost Index, Chicago PMI, and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, along with various Commitments of Traders reports and energy sector data from Baker Hughes. These releases will provide insights into labor cost trends, regional manufacturing activity, and consumer confidence levels.

Major Economic Events to Watch

No 3-star events are scheduled for this day.

Other Important Economic Events to Watch

• 7:30 AM ET - Employment Cost Index (Q2): Forecast 0.8%, Previous 0.9% - Measures the change in the price businesses and government pay for civilian labor, serving as a key inflation indicator.

• 8:45 AM ET - Chicago PMI (July): Previous 56.7 - Determines the economic health of the manufacturing sector in the Chicago region, with readings above 50 indicating expansion.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan Consumer Sentiment (July, Final): Forecast 54.4, Previous 54.4 - Rates the relative level of current and future economic conditions based on a survey of around 500 consumers.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan Consumer Expectations (July, Final): Forecast 54.0, Previous 54.0 - The expectations component of the Michigan sentiment index based on three standard questions about future economic conditions.

• 12:00 PM ET - Baker Hughes U.S. Rig Count (Weekly) - An important business barometer for the oil drilling industry that acts as a leading indicator of demand for oil products.

• 12:00 PM ET - U.S. Baker Hughes Total Rig Count (Weekly) - Tracks the total number of active drilling rigs across all categories.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Crude Oil Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 81.7K - Provides a breakdown of net positions for speculative traders in crude oil futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Gold Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 183.9K - Shows the net positions for speculative traders in gold futures, considered an indicator for analyzing market sentiment.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC S&P 500 Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous -16.8K - Reflects the commitments of traders in S&P 500 futures markets from the prior Tuesday.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Nasdaq 100 Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 4.5K - Tracks speculative positioning in Nasdaq 100 futures contracts.

Other Economic Events to Watch

• 7:30 AM ET - Employment Benefits (Q2): Previous 1.20% - Tracks changes in employment benefit costs.

• 7:30 AM ET - Employment Wages (Q2): Previous 0.80% - Measures wage component changes in the Employment Cost Index.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan Current Conditions (July, Final): Forecast 54.9, Previous 54.9 - The current conditions component of the Michigan sentiment index based on two standard questions.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan 1-Year Inflation Expectations (July, Final): Forecast 4.2%, Previous 4.2% - Measures the percentage consumers expect prices to change during the next 12 months.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations (July, Final): Forecast 3.3%, Previous 3.3% - Presents the median expected price changes for the next five years.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Aluminium Speculative Net Positions (Weekly): Previous -0.6K - Tracks speculative positioning in aluminum futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Copper Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 74.0K - Shows net positions for speculative traders in copper futures.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Silver Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 23.5K - Reflects trader commitments in silver futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Natural Gas Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous -171.1K - Provides breakdown of speculative positions in natural gas futures.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Wheat Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous -7.0K - Tracks speculative positioning in wheat futures contracts.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Corn Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 186.7K - Shows net positions for speculative traders in corn futures.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Soybeans Speculative Positions (Weekly): Previous 175.6K - Reflects trader commitments in soybean futures markets.

For further information and the latest updates, please refer to our Economic Calendar, here.