The Global Week Ahead
The US to Announce New Sanctions on Iran, Pakistan’s Army Chief Carries New US Message to Iran, US-Canadian Trade Talks Collapse, Central Bankers Gather in Wyoming, and Is Lagarde Leaving the ECB?
August 23 - 30, 2026
The last week of August is going to be a busy one both geopolitically and for global markets. On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to hold a news conference announcing a new round of economic sanctions on Iran President Trump has billed as the “toughest sanctions in history.” It is expected the sanctions will apply to a number of Iran’s neighboring countries in an attempt to crush what is left of Iran’s economy (the US dollar rose to a record 1.98 million Iranian rials in Iran’s open markets on Sunday. The British pound reached 2.7 million and the Euro reached 2.3 million).
Iran has called any new US sanctions “economic terrorism” and is threatening to militarily target any country that complies with them. The big question is whether the sanctions will go after Chinese banks and Chinese “teapot” oil refineries which specialize in Iranian oil and are seen as a major funder of Iran’s economy. Our sources tell us it is highly unlikely China in any way will be included out of White House concern it will derail Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled visit to Washington in September.
One new development emerged this weekend: It has been announced that on Monday, Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff, Asim Munir, will travel to Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials. While the visit is being billed as an effort to “strengthen bilateral cooperation” and bolster Pakistan’s efforts to “promote peace in the region,” there are reports Munir is also carrying a new message from the US that may signal President Trump’s willingness to pursue a new round of peace talks.
Meanwhile, markets were stunned late Friday when news broke that trade talks between Canada and the US broke down and President Trump is moving forward with new 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods effective Saturday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is now “at war” over trade with the US and will impose new dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs on September 8th. It appears the talks broke down when President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanded a new set of concessions from Canada at the last minute as Carney was already facing serious political constraints at home on what had already been agreed upon. Among them was a demand from the US to have “exclusive access” to Canada’s critical minerals and President Trump’s belief that French language provisions on products in French-speaking Quebec are actually used as trade barriers (which he wanted eliminated).
What happens next is anyone’s guess. Republican lawmakers were split in their reaction to the announcement, with many border state Republicans asking the White House to quickly reconsider entering into new talks.
Also of note this week: Iceland is holding a referendum on whether to resume negotiations to join the European Union. Talks had started in 2009 but were suspended in 2013. Polls suggest the vote is going to be close with 53 percent of voters wanting to reopen negotiations and 47 opposed – but the issue of fishing rights is a major stumbling block for ultimate approval of the country joining.
Looking at the global financial and economic radar screen, the big event this week is the annual Jackson Hole Symposium hosted by the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank. Federal Reserve Board Chair Kevin Warsh will give a major speech on the economic outlook on Friday. But on the sidelines, we think there will be significant discussion on the future of the European Central Bank with news breaking over the weekend that ECB President Christine Lagarde is preparing to step down and is “ready to serve” as the new chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Reports that she would take the job have circulated for a while, despite Lagarde previously dismissing them.
Also this week, the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting takes place Saturday and Sunday in Ashville, North Carolina. The meeting takes place in advance of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Ministerial being held August 31st through September 1st. Federal Reserve Board Governor Warsh is also scheduled to attend and speak.
Looking at the major economic indicators, in the US, the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index is out on Tuesday as is July new home sales. Then on Wednesday, the July PCE reports on personal income, spending and durable goods orders.
In Asia, Japan’s August Tokyo CPI and July labor market data reports are out on Friday. China releases July industrial profits on Thursday.
In Europe, The ECB’s July meeting account is released on Thursday. We will also see the French and Spanish August CPI prints are out on Friday. Germany’s Ifo August survey is out Tuesday as is Q2 GDP estimates. France’s consumer confidence report is out Tuesday, Germany’s consumer confidence on Thursday, and Italy’s on Friday.
Finally, earnings reports are still coming out and the big one markets are watching this week is Nvidia’s on Wednesday.
Below is our detailed report on all the other major geopolitical and economic events for the coming week:
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Global
· Nothing significant to report.
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa travels to Singapore and then Vietnam as part of a broader Asia trip. Today, he concluded a visit to China where he met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other senior officials. The China meetings – his second visit to China since June – were focused on finding a way to resolve the suspension of 14 Ecuadorian shrimp processors and to secure fresh investments by China in energy and mining in Ecuador. The Singapore visit is aimed at improving trade and using Singapore as a greater gateway for Ecuadorian products in the wider ASEAN market. The Vietnam visit is aimed at generally improving bilateral trade and agricultural exports.
· Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez travels to South Korea for meetings through August 25th. They will discuss energy security and other security issues.
· The Panamerican Congress concludes in Montevideo, Uruguay. This is a meeting of Progressive lawmakers from all over the Western Hemisphere, including a large contingent of US Democratic lawmakers.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will pay an official visit to China through August 24th for meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. They are expected to discuss the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
· In Kazakhstan, legislative elections are held for all 145 seats of their parliament (Kurultai).
· Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will make an annual address to mark the independence of the city-state. Seen as his keynote political speech for the year, Wong is expected to address how his government can further support families as the Southeast Asian financial hub struggles with raising its birth rate.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar will be in Moscow for two days of meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. Jaishankar will co-chair the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). Jaishankar’s meeting with Lavrov is expected to focus on regional and global issues – this is the second meeting between the two ministers in the last month. Tensions between the two countries recently became elevated when in late July four Indian sailors were killed by a Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel in the Black Sea.
· Today is National Flag Day in Ukraine.
· The Stockholm International Water Institute holds its World Water Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden through August 27th.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu in Paris, France. The Crown Prince last visited Paris in 2023. The leaders will discuss ways to expand economic partnerships and ways of returning stability in the Middle East in the face of the Iran War and the ongoing military activities in Lebanon and Gaza.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Monday, August 24, 2026
Global
· The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing on Sudan.
· The ONS International Energy Conference begins in Stavanger, Norway. The event focuses on geopolitics, energy security and climate issues.
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to announce additional economic sanctions on Iran. Iranian leaders have threatened a military response to whatever the US imposes. Markets are watching the announcement closely to see if the sanctions will include Chinese “teapot” oil refineries and Chinese banks involved in processing Iranian oil production.
· Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang travels to the US to a participate in the Columbia University Vietnam Leadership Program. He will then travel to Washington for meetings with US officials and business leaders.
· Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov travels to the US for meetings on a variety of defense technology projects. Fedorov was ousted as Defense Minister by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July. His meetings may include a meeting with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
· The Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX) begins in Dallas, Texas, bringing together utilities, advanced reactor developers, regulators, policymakers and investors to discuss the industry’s future. Continuing until Thursday
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Thomas Barkin delivers most recent speech, “The Mysterious U.S. Economy" before the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce “Eggs & Issues" event.
· Mexico Economic Activity (June)/ GDP Growth Rate Q2/ Mid-month Inflation Rate (August)
· Canada Manufacturing Sales (July)
· USA Chicago Fed National Activity Index (July)
· Chile PPI (July)
· Brazil BCB Focus Market Readout
· EARNINGS: Woodside Energy
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Jordan’s King Abdullah II concludes a week-long state visit to China.
· Today is the last day of Vietnam’s extraordinary National Assembly session. During the session, the body approved an agreement related to the country's first nuclear power plant project in Ninh Thuan province, as well as special mechanisms to resolve obstacles facing some wind and solar power projects. Lawmakers are also scheduled to vote on proposals to establish Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh as centrally governed cities, along with special policies for projects supporting APEC 2027 on Phu Quoc island.
· A cross-party group of Japanese legislators are expected to travel to Beijing for meetings through August 27th in a bid to help thaw tensions between China and Japan.
· The APEC Food Security Ministerial meeting takes in Hangzhou, China.
· The Silk Road Finance and Technology Forum begins in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and runs through August 26th. The Forum is the annual gathering for Central Asian economies.
· Hyundai Motor workers are expected to hold a four-hour strike at plants nationwide in South Korea.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· New Zealand Retail Sales Q2
· Thailand Imports/Exports/Balance of Trade (July)
· Malaysia Coincident Index (June)/ Leading Index (June)
· Singapore Inflation Rate (July)
· Taiwan Unemployment Rate (July)/ M2 Money Supply (July)
· EARNINGS: XPeng Inc, PDD Holdings Inc., Sinopec (first-half earnings)
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska will participate remotely in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, co-hosted by the UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
· Today is Independence Day in Ukraine, a national holiday.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Riksbank Deputy Governor Aino Bunge joins a panel discussion on private capital markets in Stockholm, Sweden.
· Poland Retail Sales (July)/ M3 Money Supply (July)
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will travel to Tehran on Monday at the head of an official delegation. Baghaei said the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and continuing Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and security in the region. Munir is scheduled to hold talks with senior Iranian officials during the visit. He is reportedly carrying a new message from the US on possible peace talks.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Today is Flag Day in Liberia.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Global
· The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an open debate on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security - Food Under Fire: The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises. World Food Program Acting Executive Director Carl Skau will be briefing alongside the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· The South Carolina Senate run-off election between Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) is held.
· Oklahoma holds gubernatorial primary run-off elections.
· Today is Independence Day in Uruguay, a national holiday.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President gives a speech entitled "The Mysterious U.S. Economy" before the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte, North Carolina.
· Brazil FGV Consumer Confidence (August)
· USA ADP Employment Change Weekly/ Redbook (August/22)/ S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price (June)/ House Price Index (June)/ CB Consumer Confidence (August)/ New Home Sales (July)/ Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index (August)/ Richmond Fed Manufacturing Shipments Index/ Richmond Fed Services Revenues Index (August)/ Money Supply (July)/API Crude Oil Stock Change (August/21)/ Building Permits (July)
· Canada Wholesale Sales (July)
· Mexico Current Account Q2
· El Salvador Balance of Trade (July)
· Paraguay Interest Rate Decision/ PPI (July)
· EARNINGS: Scotiabank, BMO, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Intuit, Zoom, Select Quote
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Kuwait Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah travels from China to South Korea for meetings with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. It is the first trip by a Kuwaiti foreign minister to the country since 2007. Kuwait is South Korea’s 5th largest crude oil supplier and 4th overseas construction market for South Korea globally. They are expected to focus on energy security and the Iran War.
· Indonesia hosts the annual Super Garuda Shield military exercises. For more than two weeks, more than 3,000 military personal from Indonesia, the US, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Timor Leste, India, Singapore, New Zealand, Brazil, Italy, Laos, and Cambodia will participate.
· China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress will hold a session through August 28th in Beijing. Agenda items include draft laws such as the Medical Security Law, Enterprise Bankruptcy Law amendments, and proposed changes to the Banking Supervision and Administration Law, plus a review of national economic and social development plan implementation and the state budget so far this year.
· The Inaugural Singapore-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue begins in Singapore.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· South Korea Consumer Confidence (August)
· China National People's Congress
· Australia RBA Jacobs Speech
· Japan Coincident Index (June)/ Leading Economic Index (June)
· Taiwan Industrial Production (July)/ Retail Sales (July)
· Hong Kong Imports/Exports/Balance of Trade (July)
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· The Vatican’s Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, travels to Moscow for meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He will be in Moscow through August 28th. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss a variety of diplomatic and ecumenical issues, including the Ukraine War. Gallagher was recently in Ukraine (July)
Economic & Financial Reports/Events
· Germany GDP Growth Rate Q2/ Ifo Business Climate (August)/ Ifo Current Conditions (August)/ Ifo Expectations (August)
· France Consumer Confidence (August)
· Spain PPI (July)
· Poland Unemployment Rate (July)
· Slovenia Business Confidence (August)/ Tourist Arrivals (July)
· Hungary Deposit Interest Rate (August)/ Interest Rate Decision
· EARNINGS: Lego (HY)
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Saudi Arabia Imports/Exports/Balance of Trade (June)
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nigeria GDP Growth Rate Q2
· South Africa Leading Business Cycle Indicator (June)
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Global
· The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
· The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold its International High-level Forum to launch the Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative in Washington, D.C.
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· USA MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate (August/21)/ MBA Mortgage Applications (August/21)/ MBA Mortgage Market Index (August/21)/ MBA Mortgage Refinance Index (August/21)/ MBA Purchase Index (August/21)/ Durable Goods Orders (July)/ GDP Growth Rate 2nd Est Q2/ Personal Income (July)/ Personal Spending (July)/ Corporate Profits Q2/ Durable Goods Orders Ex Transp (July)/ GDP Price Index 2nd Est Q2/ PCE Price Index (July)/ PCE Prices 2nd Est Q2/ Durable Goods Orders ex Defense (July)/ GDP Sales 2nd Est Q2/ Non-Defense Goods Orders Ex Air (July)/ Real Consumer Spending 2nd Est Q2/ Real Personal Spending (July)/ EIA Crude Oil/Gasoline Stocks Change (August/21)/ Fed Barkin Speech
· Brazil IPCA mid-month CPI (August)
· EARNINGS: Nvidia, National Bank (Canada), EQB (Canada), Kohl’s, Dycom, Williams-Sonoma, JMS Smucker Co., Nutanix, Synopsys, CrowdStrike, Salesforce
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Indonesia and Australia will hold their 10th “2+2” Foreign and Defense Ministers meeting in Melbourne.
· The Nikkei Asia Forum Sydney 2026 is held. The event convenes high-level government, business and diplomatic figures to discuss key issues confronting Australia-Japan relations and broader developments in the region. Speakers include the secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the chair of Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board, the chair of Export Finance Australia, and the country's former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as key figures from major banks, energy companies, hospitality and investment firms.
· The Thailand Focus 2026 Conference is held in Bangkok, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas among the scheduled speakers.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· South Korea Business Confidence (August)
· Australia Westpac Leading Index (July)/ Construction Work Done Q2/ Inflation Rate (July)/ RBA Trimmed Mean CPI (July)/ CPI (July)/ RBA Weighted Median CPI (July)
· Thailand New Car Sales (July)/ Interest Rate Decision
· China National People's Congress
· Singapore Industrial Production (July)
· India M3 Money Supply (August/15)
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· European Central Bank Board Member Piero Cipollone gives a speech at the Deutsche Bundesbank's Symposium "Future of payments: trends and innovations in Germany and Europe" in Frankfurt, Germany.
· Switzerland Economic Sentiment Index (August)/ SNB Martin Speech
· UK CBI Distributive Trades (August)/ Car Production (July)
· Russia Industrial Production (July)
· EARNINGS: Prudential
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Kuwait M2 Money Supply (July)/ Private Bank Lending (July)
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Global
· The 2026 Jackson Hole Economic Symposium begins and runs through August 29th. This year’s theme is “Financial Innovation: Implications for Payments and Policy.”
· The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing on Syria, followed by consultations on the Middle East.
· The BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues holds a virtual meeting.
· The BRICS Working Group on Environment meets virtually.
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Richmond Federal Reserve Bank Thomas Barkin participates in panel before the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce "State of Our Community" event in Greensboro, North Carolina.
· USA Goods Trade Balance Adv (July)/ Initial Jobless Claims (August/22)/ Retail Inventories Ex Autos Adv (July)/ Wholesale Inventories Adv (July)/ Continuing Jobless Claims (August/15)/ Jobless Claims 4-week Average (August/22)/ EIA Natural Gas Stocks Change (August/21)/ Kansas Fed Composite Index (August)/ Kansas Fed Manufacturing Index (August)/ 15-Year Mortgage Rate (August/27)/ 30-Year Mortgage Rate (August/27)/ Fed Balance Sheet (August/26)
· Brazil Current Account (July)/ Foreign Direct Investment (July)/ Unemployment Rate (July)
· Mexico Balance of Trade (July)/ Unemployment Rate (July)
· Canada Current Account Q2/Average Weekly Earnings (June)
· Colombia Business Confidence (July)
· Uruguay Unemployment Rate (July)
· EARNINGS: CIBC, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank, Best Buy, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Hormel, Burlington, Marvell Technology, Autodesk, Gap
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino speaks at a meeting of local business leaders in Saitama, Japan.
· Japan Stock Investment by Foreigners (August/22)/BoJ JGB Purchase
· South Korea Interest Rate Decision
· Australia RBA Bulletin/ Building Capital Expenditure Q2/ Household Spending (July)/ Plant Machinery Capital Expenditure Q2/ Private Capital Expenditure Q2/ RBA Payments System Board Meeting
· China Industrial Profits (YTD) (July)/ National People's Congress
· Taiwan Consumer Confidence (August)
· Philippines Interest Rate Decision
· EARNINGS: BiliBili, Vanke, Qantas Airways
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· The EU Political and Security Committee meets in Brussels. The Committee is composed of all ambassadors of the 27 EU members states. They are expected to review and discuss the situation in Iran and other major international issues and events.
· Today is Independence Day in Moldova, a national holiday.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· European Central Bank monetary policy meeting minutes released.
· Ireland Consumer Confidence (August)
· Germany GfK Consumer Confidence (September)
· Hungary Gross Wage (June)
· Switzerland Non-Farm Payrolls Q2
· France PPI (July)/ Unemployment Benefit Claims (July)/ Jobseekers Total (July)
· Euro Area Loans to Companies (July)/ Loans to Households (July)/ M3 Money Supply (July)
· EARNINGS: Pernod Ricard
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Israel Manufacturing Production (June)
· Turkey Foreign Exchange Reserves (August/21)
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· South Africa PPI (July)
Friday, August 28, 2026
Global
· The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a consultation on Lebanon.
· The BRICS FinTech Group meets virtually.
· A partial lunar eclipse will be visible over the Americas, Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh gives keynote remarks at the 2026 Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
· Brazil IGP-M Inflation (August)/ Bank Lending (July)/ PPI (July)/ Net Payrolls (July)
· Canada GDP Growth Rate Annualized Q2/ GDP Growth Rate Q2/ GDP (June)/ GDP (July)/ GDP Implicit Price Q2/ Budget Balance (June)
· Chile Unemployment Rate (July)
· USA Chicago PMI (August)/ Non-Farm Payrolls Annual Revision/ Michigan Consumer Sentiment (August)/ Michigan 5 Year Inflation Expectations (August)/ Michigan Consumer Expectations (August)/ Michigan Current Conditions (August)/ Michigan Inflation Expectations (August)/ Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count (August/28)/ Baker Hughes Total Rigs Count (August/28)
· Uruguay Balance of Trade (July)
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Japan Unemployment Rate (July)/ Jobs/applications ratio (July)/ Tokyo CPI Ex Food and Energy (August)/ Tokyo CPI (August)/ Consumer Confidence (August)/ Housing Starts (July)/ Construction Orders (July)
· Philippines Imports/Exports/Balance of Trade (July)/ PPI (July)/ Budget Balance (July)/ Business Confidence (July)
· Singapore Bank Lending (July)/ Import/Export Prices (July)/ PPI (July)
· China National People's Congress
· Malaysia PPI (July)/ M3 Money Supply (July)
· Thailand Industrial Production (July)/ Current Account (July)/ Private Consumption (July)/ Private Investment (July)/ Retail Sales (June)
· Sri Lanka Inflation Rate (August)/ Balance of Trade (July)/ PPI (July)
· India Industrial Production (July)/ Manufacturing Production (July)/ Foreign Exchange Reserves (August/21)
· EARNINGS: Petronas, Bank of China (HY)
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· European Central Bank Board Member Isabel Schnabel participates in a panel discussion at 2026 Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Economic Policy Symposium "Financial Innovation: Implications for Payments and Policy" in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
· Russia GDP (July)/ M2 Money Supply (July)
· UK Nationwide Housing Prices (August)
· Hungary Unemployment Rate (July)/ Balance of Trade (July)
· France Inflation Rate (August)/ GDP Growth Rate Q2/ Harmonized Inflation Rate (August)/ Household Consumption (July)
· Slovakia Business Confidence (August)/ Consumer Confidence (August)
· Spain Inflation Rate (August)/ Harmonized Inflation Rate (August)/ Retail Sales (July)/ Business Confidence (August)
· Switzerland KOF Leading Indicators (August)
· Turkey Balance of Trade (July)/ Economic Confidence Index (August)/ Imports/Exports (July)
· Germany Unemployed Persons (August)/ Unemployment Change (August)/ Unemployment Rate (August)
· Italy Industrial Sales (June)/ Business Confidence (August)/ Consumer Confidence (August)
· Slovenia Retail Sales (July)
· Euro Area Economic Sentiment (August)/ Consumer Confidence (August)/ Consumer Inflation Expectations (August)/ Industrial Sentiment (August)/ Selling Price Expectations (August)/ Services Sentiment (August)
· Greece PPI (July)/ Total Credit (July)
· Serbia Retail Sales (July)/ Unemployment Rate Q2
· Ireland Retail Sales (July)
· EARNINGS: Bertelsmann (HY), Northam Platinum (HY)
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· South Africa Balance of Trade (July)/ Budget Balance (July)
· Kenya Inflation Rate (August)
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Global
· The G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting begins in Asheville, North Carolina and runs through August 30th. The meeting is in preparation for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bankers Meeting being chaired by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Asheville on August 31st to September 1st. The agenda of both meetings is “modernizing financial regulation; strengthening our understanding of excessive global imbalances; enhancing debt transparency and facilitating debt restructuring processes; endorsing a vibrant digital assets ecosystem; improving cross-border payments and addressing payments fraud and scams; and promoting financial literacy.”
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· Iceland holds a referendum on the resumption of European Union membership negotiations. Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009, but negotiations have been suspended since 2013. Subsequent governments have insisted that a referendum be held before negotiations resume.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· The African Union will hold the 21st Extraordinary Summit on Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Resolution Mechanisms in Luanda, Angola.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Global
· Nothing significant to report.
Americas
Political/Social Events –
· The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope — named after the first NASA chief astronomer, who is often dubbed “the mother of the Hubble Space Telescope” — launches aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Asia
Political/Social Events –
· The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting will be held in Koror, Republic of Palau.
· Today is Popular Consultation Day in East Timor, a public holiday.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Europe
Political/Social Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Middle East
Political/Social Events –
· Turkey celebrates Victory Day, a national holiday.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Africa
Political/Social Events –
· Guinea-Bissau holds a constitutional referendum which will expand presidential powers.
Economic & Financial Reports/Events –
· Nothing significant to report.
Looking at the Weeks (and Months) Ahead
· August 29 – 30: The G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting, Asheville, North Carolina.
· August 31 – September 1: the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, Asheville, North Carolina.
· September 1 – 2: There will be a G20 Innovation Ministerial held in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
· September 12 – 13: The 18th BRICS Summit will be held in New Delhi, India.
· September 14 – 16: There will be a G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial held in Houston, Texas.
· September 18 – 20: Russia legislative (Duma) elections are to be held.
· September 22 – 29: The UN General Assembly is held in New York.
· September 24: Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Washington, DC for bilateral meetings with President Trump.
· September 30 – October 1: There will be a G20 Trade Ministerial Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
· October (exact date TBD): Israel holds legislative elections.
· October 1: The G20 Sherpa Meeting III will be held in Washington, D.C.
· October 4: Brazil holds general elections.
· October 12 – 18: The IMF and World Bank Meetings are held in Bangkok, Thailand. There will be a finance ministers and central bank governors meeting on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank meetings on October 15th.
· October 30 – 31: The G20 Foreign Ministers meeting is held in Atlanta, Georgia.
· November 3: The US Midterm election is to be held. All 435 members of the US House of Representatives, 1/3 of the US Senate, 36 governors, and 6,000 state legislative seats will be decided.
· November 9 – 20: The United Nation’s COP31 Conference will be held in Antalya, Turkey.
· November 18 – 19: The APEC Summit will be held in Shenzhen, China.
· December 10: The G20 Sherpa Meeting IV will be held in Miami, Florida.
· December 14 – 15: The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held at the Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida.