Oil inventories among economic data due Wednesday

As traders approach another pivotal day for financial markets, a series of crucial economic data releases that could sway market dynamics are expected on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The spotlight will be on energy markets as the Energy Information Administration releases its weekly crude oil inventories report, a key indicator that influences petroleum prices and broader inflation trends. This data point stands as the primary market-moving event scheduled for the day, offering insights into the supply-demand balance in the energy sector.

Major Economic Events to Watch

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Crude Oil Inventories (Forecast:-0.300M, Previous: -8.557M) - The Energy Information Administration’s weekly measure of the change in commercial crude oil barrels held by U.S. firms, which influences petroleum prices and inflation.

Other Important Economic Events to Watch

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Cushing Oil Inventories (Previous:1.862M) - Change in crude oil barrels stored at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for West Texas Intermediate benchmark.

• 12:00 PM ET - 20-Year Bond Auction (Previous:5.420%) - Treasury bond auction where the yield represents investor return and serves as an indicator of government debt conditions.

Other Economic Events to Watch

• 6:00 AM ET - MBA Mortgage Applications (Previous:-2.7%) - Weekly change in new mortgage applications backed by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

• 6:00 AM ET - Mortgage Market Index (Previous:199.2) - Comprehensive index covering all mortgage applications including conventional, government, fixed-rate, and adjustable-rate mortgages.

• 6:00 AM ET - MBA Purchase Index (Previous:139.3) - Index tracking mortgage applications for single-family home purchases, serving as a reliable indicator of upcoming home sales.

• 6:00 AM ET - Mortgage Refinance Index (Previous:513.5) - Gauge of mortgage refinancing activity across all conventional and government refinances.

• 6:00 AM ET - MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate (Previous:7.50%) - Fixed 30-year mortgage lending rates for 80% loan-to-value mortgages.

• 9:30 AM ET - Gasoline Inventories (Previous:3.518M) - Weekly change in commercial gasoline barrels held in inventory, affecting gasoline prices and inflation.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Refinery Crude Runs (Previous:0.135M) - Measure of crude oil processed by refineries.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Heatoil Stock (Previous:-0.448M) - Weekly change in heating oil inventory levels.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Distillate Fuel Production (Previous:-0.101M) - Weekly production levels of distillate fuels.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Refinery Utilization Rates (Previous:0.8%) - Percentage of refinery capacity being utilized.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Gasoline Production (Previous:-0.117M) - Weekly gasoline production figures.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Crude Imports (Previous:-0.596M) - Weekly change in crude oil imports into the United States.

• 9:30 AM ET - EIA Weekly Distillates Stocks (Previous:-2.527M) - Inventory levels of distillate fuel stocks, providing insight into petroleum demand.

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