PMI data and consumer sentiment among economic releases due Friday

As traders approach another pivotal day for financial markets, a series of crucial economic data releases that could sway market dynamics are expected on Friday, October 23, 2026. The day’s calendar features key purchasing managers’ index readings from both the manufacturing and services sectors, alongside the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey. These indicators will provide fresh insights into the health of the U.S. economy and could influence trading activity across multiple asset classes as the week draws to a close.

Major Economic Events to Watch

• 8:45 AM ET - Services PMI: Forecast 57.9, Previous 58.8 - Measures activity levels among purchasing managers in the services sector, covering transport, communication, financial services, and hospitality industries.

• 8:45 AM ET - Manufacturing PMI: Forecast 55.4, Previous 55.9 - Tracks purchasing manager activity in the manufacturing sector, with readings above 50 indicating expansion and below 50 signaling contraction.

Other Important Economic Events to Watch

• 8:45 AM ET - S&P Global Composite PMI: Previous 58.4 - Combines manufacturing and services data to provide a comprehensive snapshot of private sector performance.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan Consumer Sentiment: Forecast 46.3, Previous 48.1 - Measures relative levels of current and future economic conditions based on a survey of approximately 500 consumers.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan Consumer Expectations: Forecast 47.3, Previous 46.3 - The forward-looking component of the consumer sentiment index based on three standard survey questions.

• 12:00 PM ET - Baker Hughes U.S. Rig Count: Previous 459 - Tracks the number of active oil drilling rigs, serving as a leading indicator of demand for oil products and services.

• 12:00 PM ET - U.S. Baker Hughes Total Rig Count: Previous 603 - Provides a comprehensive count of all active drilling rigs in the United States.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Crude Oil speculative positions: Previous 100.3K - Weekly breakdown of net positions held by speculative traders in crude oil futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Gold speculative positions: Previous 207.9K - Reports net positions for non-commercial traders in gold futures, reflecting market sentiment.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Nasdaq 100 speculative positions: Previous 48.5K - Tracks speculative trader positioning in Nasdaq 100 futures contracts.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC S&P 500 speculative positions: Previous -141.0K - Weekly report on speculative trader positions in S&P 500 futures markets.

Other Economic Events to Watch

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan Current Conditions: Forecast 44.7, Previous 50.9 - The present-situation component of the consumer sentiment index based on two standard survey questions.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations: Forecast 3.5%, Previous 3.4% - Median expected price changes over the next five years as surveyed by consumers.

• 9:00 AM ET - Michigan 1-Year Inflation Expectations: Forecast 4.7%, Previous 4.6% - Measures consumer expectations for price changes over the next 12 months.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Aluminium speculative net positions: Previous -1.1K - Weekly report on speculative trader positions in aluminum futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Copper speculative positions: Previous 68.5K - Tracks net positions held by non-commercial traders in copper futures.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Silver speculative positions: Previous 22.6K - Reports speculative trader positioning in silver futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Natural Gas speculative positions: Previous -233.6K - Weekly breakdown of speculative positions in natural gas futures.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Wheat speculative positions: Previous -17.6K - Tracks speculative trader positions in wheat futures markets.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Corn speculative positions: Previous 358.4K - Reports net positions for non-commercial traders in corn futures.

• 2:30 PM ET - CFTC Soybeans speculative positions: Previous 271.1K - Weekly report on speculative positioning in soybean futures markets.

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