The Global Week Ahead

Moving Back to War in Iran, The World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings Begin, Israel and Lebanon To Hold Direct Talks, Implications of Hungary’s Election Earthquake, Canadian PM Carney Could Get a Parliamentary Majority, and Countless Central Bank Speeches This Week

April 12 - 19, 2026

It will be another tense week globally following the breakdown of US-Iran negotiations this past Friday. While the ceasefire technically holds until April 21st, President Trump has ordered a blockade of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and hostilities could erupt at any time. Oil prices have again spiked above $103 a barrel, and markets are bracing for new economic shocks.

The big questions we have are: 1) What happens if Chinese or Russian naval ships arrive to escort their commercial ships around the US naval ships, 2) What happens if any ships try to slip by the blockade – will the US Navy seize them or shell them?, and 3) Will the blockade trigger the Houthi’s in Yemen to engage in new attacks on the US Naval ships?

We would also note Israeli and Lebanese diplomats will be meeting in Washington on Monday on a potential ceasefire following weeks of intense Israeli attacks on Hezbollah forces.  But most observers are not hopeful for a breakthrough, as Israel will not agree unless Hezbollah is completely expelled from Lebanon.  

As the Iran War looms, the World Bank/IMF Spring meetings begin today, with finance ministers and central bank governors convening for six days. The IMF will release its latest World Economic Outlook, and markets await any changes to forecasts.

On the sidelines, numerous speeches and panels will feature key central bankers like European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey.  

Elsewhere, in European capitals this week, EU leaders will be analyzing the impact of Peter Magyar’s Tisza Party’s landslide win over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz Party after 16 years in power. will likely prove to help solidify and accelerate EU efforts for greater cohesion. The most obvious direct consequence is the release of sizeable EU financial and military aid to Ukraine, which had been blocked by Orbán.

Turning to North America, Canada holds elections in three legislative districts this week. Polls suggest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party is likely to secure at least two victories, potentially giving Carney a parliamentary majority and greater scope to align Canada’s policies more closely with Europe, both militarily and economically.

Aside from the World Bank and IMF meetings, markets will focus on the US PPI report on Tuesday, the Fed’s Beige Book on Wednesday, and industrial production on Thursday.

In Europe, the European Central Bank’s March meeting account and the UK’s February GDP numbers will be released on Tuesday.  

In Asia, the major reports of the week are China’s Q1 GDP, released on Tuesday, and the March economic data, published on Thursday.  

Finally, we would note that earnings season is kicking off this week.  We expect a chorus of concerns from major companies about the economic impact of the Iran War and its potential impact on businesses across the board.

Below is our detailed report outlining the major geopolitical and economic events anticipated for the coming week:

Sunday, April 12, 2026

 Global

·       Easter is celebrated in the Orthodox faith today.

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       U.S. Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel this week to Kyiv, Ukraine for new talks seeking a cease-fire with Russia (TDB).

·       Peru holds elections for president and the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.  There are 35 candidates running for president, and it is almost assuredly going to lead to a run-off election.  Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, is leading in polls.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Peru Balance of Trade (February)

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Hungary holds parliamentary elections. The elections are expected to be a closely contested race between the ruling Hungarian Civic Alliance (Fidesz) and the centrist Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza).

·       Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will visit China through April 15th. resident Xi Jinping will meet with Sánchez, and Premier Li Qiang and NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji will hold separate talks and meetings with him. This is Sánchez's fourth trip to China in four years.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·        Jordan Inflation Rate (March)

Africa

Political/Social Events –

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Monday, April 13, 2026

Global

·       The World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings begin in Washington, D.C. and run through April 18th.

·       The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations (EU). 

·       The OPEC monthly oil market report is released.

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       The US Senate and House of Representatives return to work after a two-week break.  They will again try to find a deal on TSA paychecks and President Trump’s request for additional funding for the US military. 

·       The US House of Representatives potentially will consider expulsion votes or other disciplinary votes against four members this week: Representatives Sheila Chefilus-McCormick (D-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

·       President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the White House and then host a state dinner for them in the evening.

·       Canada will hold three byelections that could result in a parliamentary majority for the ruling Liberal Party. 

·       Santiago, Chile hosts the Latin America Energy Summit through April 16th.  The summit brings together regional energy companies, engineering firms, infrastructure project developers, construction companies, investors, and government officials to discuss opportunities in Latin America's evolving energy industry.   The Summit takes place as Santiago also hosts the World Lithium Conference and the World Copper Conference.

·       The Semafor World Economy Conference begins in Washington, D.C. and runs through April 17.  More than 450 CEOs, US cabinet members, and foreign leaders will attend and speak.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Stephen I. Miran participates in a conversation at the Symposium on Building the Financial System of the 21st Century: An Agenda for Europe and the United States, Washington, D.C.

·       Canada Building Permits (February)

·       USA Existing Home Sales (March)/ Fed Miran Speech

·       Paraguay Balance of Trade (March)

·       Brazil BCB Focus Market Readout

·       Peru Balance of Trade (February)

·       El Salvador Inflation Rate (March)

·       EARNINGS: Goldman Sachs, FirstBank

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda speaks at the 101st Trust Companies Conference.

·       Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser participates in a fireside chat at the Money Marketeers of New York University

·       New Zealand Composite & Services NZ PCI (March)

·       Indonesia Retail Sales (February)

·       India Inflation Rate (March)

·       China New Yuan Loans (March)/ M2 Money Supply (March)/ Outstanding Loan Growth (March)/ Total Social Financing (March)

·       Kazakhstan GDP (March)

·       Singapore Monetary Policy Statement

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul.

·       French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will host Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Paris.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde participates in the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C. this week.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Luis de Guindos gives remarks at the 4th ''Wake Up, Spain" symposium organized by El Español, Invertia, and D+I (Disruptores e Innovadores) in Madrid, Spain.

·       Bank of England External Member of the Monetary Policy Committee Alan Taylor gives a speech at the PSE-BdF Conference on International Macroeconomics in Historical Perspective in Paris, France.

·       Hungary Construction Output (February)

·       Slovakia Construction Output (February)

·       Turkey Current Account (February)/ Retail Sales (February)

·       Poland Balance of Trade (February)/ Current Account (February)

·       Russia Balance of Trade (February)

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·        Jordan Inflation Rate (March)

·       Israel Foreign Exchange Reserves (March)

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Pope Leo XIV will visit Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea through April 23rd.

·       The Africa Tourism Investment Conference begins in Cape Town, South Africa.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Mozambique Inflation Rate (March)

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Global

·       The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a vote on Libya sanctions. Afterwards, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing on the Middle East, followed by consultations on the Middle East (Yemen).

· The IMF publishes its World Economic Outlook and Global Financial Stability Report.

·       The International Energy Administration releases its monthly oil report.

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks at a Turning Point USA tour stop in Georgia.

·       Finnish President Alexander Stubb will travel to Canada for meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Michael S. Barr speaks at the Strengthening America's Economy through Rural Investment: A Working Forum, Washington, D.C.

·       Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Austan Goolsbee participates in a panel before the Semafor World Economy 2026 conference in Washington, D.C.

·       USA NFIB Business Optimism Index (March)/ ADP Employment Change Weekly/ PPI (March)/ Redbook (April/11)/ API Crude Oil Stock Change (April/10)

·       Brazil Business Confidence (April)

·       Uruguay Industrial Production (February)

·       Argentina Inflation Rate (March)

·       EARNINGS: JP Morgan, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, BlackRock, Albertsons, Johnson & Johnson, CarMax

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Vietnam President To Lam travels to China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping. This marks Lam's first state visit since he took the rare step of holding two of Hanoi's most powerful posts and, a week prior, became president.

·       The Philippines' House of Representative’s Justice Committee resumes deliberations on the merits of the impeachment complaints lodged against Vice President Sara Duterte. Her team continues to question the proceedings, which began in February after a one-year Supreme Court prohibition.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·        Australia Westpac Consumer Confidence Index (April)/ NAB Business Confidence (March)

·       New Zealand Visitor Arrivals (February)

·       Singapore GDP Growth Rate Q1

·       China Imports/ Exports/ Balance of Trade (March)

·       Japan Capacity Utilization (February)/ Industrial Production (February)

·       India WPI Food Index (March)/ WPI Fuel (March)/ WPI Inflation (March)/ WPI Manufacturing (March)

·       EARNINGS: Toho, J Front Retailing

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Alexus Grnikevich in Brussels.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde participates in a fireside chat at the Bretton Woods Committee’s Spring Summit 2026 in Washington, DC.

·       European Central Bank Chief Economist Philip Lane gives a lecture at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Later, he participates in the Macro/International Finance Lunch Roundtable at the University.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Piero Cipollone gives a pre-recorded conversation at the 25th Forum Confcommercio in Rome, Italy.

·       Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey participates in a fireside chat with Bank of England External Member of the Monetary Board Alan Taylor at Columbia University in New York.

·       Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Megan Greene takes part in a fireside chat during the IMF-World Bank week at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.

·       Great Britain BRC Retail Sales Monitor (March)

·       Ireland Construction PMI (March)

·       Germany Wholesale Prices (March)

·       Romania Inflation Rate (March)

·       Spain Inflation Rate (March)

·       France IEA Oil Market Report

·       Serbia Inflation Rate (March)

·       EARNINGS: BMW, Kering, Publicis

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Israel and Lebanon will hold direct negotiations in Washington, D.C. The Israeli delegation will be led by Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the US, although Ron Dermer, an adviser to Netanyahu, is expected to play a prominent role behind the scenes. U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa is due to lead the effort on behalf of the Trump administration.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Israel Tourist Arrivals (March)/ Inflation Expectations (March)

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       South Africa Gold Production (February)/ Mining Production (February)/ SACCI Business Confidence (February)/ SACCI Business Confidence (March)

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Global

·       The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing, followed by consultations, on the Great Lakes region. In the afternoon, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing on UN Peacekeeping operations.   

·       The IMF publishes its fiscal monitor.

·       IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva holds a press briefing .

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Michael S. Barr speaks on Consumer Compliance Supervision and Regulation at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) Just Economy Conference, Washington, D.C.

·       Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision ice Chair for Supervision Michelle W. Bowman speaks on bank regulation at the  Institute of International Finance Global Outlook Forum, Washington, D.C.

·       USA MBA Mortgage Market Index (April/10)/ MBA Purchase Index (April/10)/ NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (April)/ Import Prices (March)/ Export Prices (March)/ NAHB Housing Market Index (April)/ EIA Crude Oil & Gasoline Stocks Change (April/10)/ NOPA Crush Report/ Fed Beige Book/ Foreign Bond Investment (February)/ Overall Net Capital Flows (February)

·       Brazil Retail Sales (February)

·       Canada Manufacturing Sales (February)/ Wholesale Sales (February)

·       El Salvador PPI (March)

·       Peru GDP Growth Rate (February)/ Unemployment Rate (March)

·       EARNINGS: Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Progressive, PNC, M&T Bank

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       The Canton Fair, one of China’s largest trade shows, opens.  There will be exhibitors touting everything from vehicles and electronics to furniture and toys. This spring's expo, which runs until early May, comes as companies in China and around the world grapple with supply chain disruptions from the Iran war.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       South Korea Import Prices (March)/ Export Prices (March)/ Unemployment Rate (March)

·       Japan Machinery Orders (February)

·       India Unemployment Rate (March)

·       Philippines Cash Remittances (February)

·       India Imports/ Exports/ Balance of Trade (March)/ Passenger Vehicles Sales (March)

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde gives a keynote speech at The Economic Magic of Equal Opportunity for Women Conference in Washington, DC

·       European Central Bank Board Member Isabel Schnabel participates in a panel discussion entitled “Deglobalization and Fragmentation: Mid-Term Challenges for Central Banks” at the 2026 IIF Global Outlook Forum “Deciphering Risks, Defining Opportunities” in Washington,

·       European Central Bank Board Member Piero Cipollone gives a keynote address at the"20th Annual Symposium on Building the Financial System of the 21st Century: An Agenda for Europe and the United States" organized by The Program on International Financial Systems (PIFS) and Harvard Law School in Washington, DC.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Piero Cipollone gives a  speech  at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC,

·       European Central Bank Governing Council member Francois Villeroy de Galhau speaks at Semafor World Economy and separately at an Atlantic Council event in Washington, DC.

·       Euro Area Industrial Production (February)

·       Romania Industrial Production (February)/ Current Account (February)

·       Hungary Industrial Production (February)/ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes

·       France Inflation Rate (March)

·       Slovakia Inflation Rate (March)

·       Poland Inflation Rate (March)

·       Turkey Budget Balance (March)

·       Greece Inflation Rate (March)

·       Ireland Balance of Trade (February)/ Residential Property Prices (February)

·       Sebia Building Permits (February)

·       EARNINGS: Hermes

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Saudi Arabia Inflation Rate (March)/ Wholesale Prices (March)

·       Israel Business Confidence (March)/ Inflation Rate (March)

·       Jordan Industrial Production (February)

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nigeria Food Inflation (March)/ Inflation Rate (March)

·       Kenya GDP Growth Rate Q4

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Global

·       G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Washington, DC.

·       The UN  Security Council is scheduled to hold a TCC meeting on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).   

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Stephen I. Miran participates in a conversation at the Washington Economic Festival: Global Macro Sessions, Washington, D.C.

New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams gives keynote speech before the FHLBNY 2026 Member Symposium organized by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

·       Canada New Motor Vehicle Sales (February)

·       USA Continuing Jobless Claims (April/04)/ NY Fed Services Activity Index (April)/ Philly Fed CAPEX Index (April)/ Philly Fed Employment (April)/ Philly Fed New Orders (April)/ Philly Fed Prices Paid (April)/ Capacity Utilization (March)/ Industrial Production (March)/ Manufacturing Production (March)/ EIA Natural Gas Stocks Change (April)I/10/ Fed Miran Speech/ 15- & 30-Year Mortgage Rate (April/16)

·       Ecuador Balance of Trade (February)/ Consumer Confidence (March)/ Industrial Production (February)/ Retail Sales (February)

·       Paraguay Consumer Confidence (March)

·       EARNINGS: Netflix, Charles Schwab, PepsiCo, BNY, Travelers, Citizens Financial Corp., Abbott, Alcoa, Cohen & Steers

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Japan Reuters Tankan Index (April)/ Foreign Bond Investment (April/11)/ Stock Investment by Foreigners (April/11)

·       Australia Consumer Inflation Expectations (April)/ Employment Change (March)/ Full Time Employment Chg. (March)/ Unemployment Rate (March)/ Part Time Employment Chg. (March)/ Participation Rate (March)

·       China House Price Index (March)/ GDP Growth Rate Q1/ Industrial Production (March)/ Retail Sales (March)/ Industrial Capacity Utilization Q1/ Unemployment Rate (March)

·       Brazil IBC-BR Economic Activity (February)

·       Sri Lanka PPI (February)

·       EARNINGS: TSMC, Wipro, Infosys

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       There will be an informal meeting of EU Tourism Ministers in Lefkosia, Cyprus through April 17th.

·       In the UK, the Covid-19 Inquiry report on vaccines and therapeutics will be published.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank Chief Economist Philip R. Lane participates on a panel at the Washington Economic Festival: Global Macro Sessions organized by Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee in Washington, DC. Later, he participates in an IMF Spring Meetings panel on "Keeping Macroeconomic Frameworks Fit for Purpose in a Shock-Prone World" in Washington, DC.

·       European Central Bank Board Member Anneli Tuominen participates in a panel discussion at the New Frontiers in Banking and Capital Markets Conference in Milan, Italy

·       Bank of England Deputy Governor for Financial Stability Sarah Breeden gives a speech at the Program on International Financial Systems and Harvard Law School, 20th Annual Symposium ‘building the financial system of the 21st century: an agenda for Europe and the United States’, Washington DC.

·       European Central Bank Governing Council members Martin Kocher and Dimitar Radev speak at an Atlantic Council event in Washington, D.C.

·       Euro Area CPI (March)/ Inflation Rate (March)/ ECB Monetary Policy Meeting Accounts

·       Great Britain Balance of Trade (February)/ Construction Output (February)/ GDP (February)/ Industrial Production (February)/ Manufacturing Production (February)/ NIESR Monthly GDP Tracker (March)

·       Switzerland Producer & Import Prices (March)/ SNB Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes

·       Slovakia Inflation Rate (March)/ Unemployment Rate (March)

·       Italy Inflation Rate (March)

·       Serbia Current Account (February)

·       Turkey Foreign Exchange Reserves (April/10)/ Auto Production (March)/ Auto Sales (March)

·       Poland Core Inflation Rate (March)

·       Belarus Industrial Production (March)

·       EARNINGS: Bosch, Tesco, Icade, Viscofan, Pernod Ricard

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Israel Consumer Confidence (March)

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Friday, April 17, 2026

Global

·       The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a briefing, followed by consultations, on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Federal Reserve Board Governor Christopher J. Waller speaks about the economic outlook at the Auburn University Department of Economics David Kaserman Memorial Lecture, Auburn, Alabama.

·       USA Fed Balance Sheet (April/15)/ Fed Barkin Speech/ Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count (April/17

·       Canada CFIB Business Barometer (April)/ Housing Starts (March)/ Foreign Securities Purchases (February)

·       EARNINGS: Regions, Fifth Third Bank, Ally, Truist, Ericsson, State Street, Marsh & McLennan

Asia

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       New Zealand Electronic Retail Card Spending (March)/ Food Inflation (March)

·       Singapore Balance of Trade (March)/ Non-Oil Exports (March)

·       Malaysia Inflation Rate (March)/ GDP Growth Rate Q1

·       India Bank Loan Growth (March/31)/ Deposit Growth (March/31)

·       Kazakhstan Industrial Production (March)

·       Sri Lanka Manufacturing PMI (March)/ Services PMI (March)

·       EARNINGS:  HDFC, ICICI

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov will chair the next meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow, with Turkmenistan holding the CIS chairmanship for 2026. The ministers will exchange views on international and regional issues and discuss priority areas of CIS cooperation, including in the context of the organization's 35th anniversary. Decisions are expected on strengthening foreign policy coordination, expanding law enforcement cooperation, and granting CIS basic organization status to two Russian educational institutions.

·       Following the CIS meeting, Foreign Minister Lavrov will travel to Antalya, Turkey to participate in the Fifth Antalya Diplomatic Forum at the invitation of Turkey's Foreign Minister. The forum is a high-profile multilateral gathering with broad attendance from Global South and NATO-adjacent states — exactly the audience Russia wants to address on Ukraine, Iran, and sanctions.

·       Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez hosts Brazilian President Lula in Barcelona.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       European Central Bank Board Member Claudia Buch participates in "In conversation with Claudia Buch," organized by the Institute of International Finance in Washington, DC.

·       Bank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill speaks at the Barclays breakfast roundtable in Washington, D.C.

·       Euro Area Current Account (February)/ Balance of Trade (February)

·       Hungary Gross Wage (February)

·       Italy Balance of Trade (February)/ Current Account (February)

·       Slovakia Current Account (February)

·       Greece Balance of Trade (February)

·       Belarus GDP (March)

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Today is Independence Day in Syria, a national holiday.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·        Nothing significant to report.

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Angola Foreign Exchange Reserves (March)/ M3 Money Supply (March)

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Global

·        The World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings conclude.

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 –

Europe

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

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 –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Global

·       Nothing significant to report.

Americas

Political/Social Events –

·       The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 701 – which authorizes warrantless surveillance of non-US persons – expires.

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 –

·       Bulgaria holds parliamentary elections.

·       Brazilian President Lula meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Hanover, Germany.

·       Today is the 75th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, signed by six European states including France, West Germany, and Italy, marking the first step in European economic integration and laying the foundations for what would later become the EU.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Middle East

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

Africa

Political/Social Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Economic & Financial Reports/Events –

·       Nothing significant to report.

Looking Further Out 

• Week of April 20 (To be confirmed – hearing has been rescheduled from April 9th) – The U.S. Senate Banking Committee is planning to hold a confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh’s nomination as Federal Reserve Chair. However, it is highly unlikely that the committee will schedule a confirmation vote, as several members have vowed to hold up the vote until the Department of Justice drops its criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell.

• April 23 – The European Central Bank’s non-monetary policy meeting.

• April 27 – The Bank of Japan meets to consider interest rates.

• April 28/29 – the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets to consider interest rates.

• April 29 – The European Central Bank meets to consider interest rates.

• April 30 – The Bank of England meets to consider interest rates.

• May 14 – 15 – President Trump will travel to China to meet with President Xi.