The Week Ahead in Forex: October 25 to October 30, 2026
The week ahead, October 25 to October 30, 2026, is set to be dominated by a series of high-impact central bank decisions and key economic data releases. Traders will be monitoring interest rate decisions from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Bank of Canada, and the Federal Reserve, alongside significant inflation data from Australia. Recent market moves show XAUUSD down 4.05%, while AUDUSD has gained 1.29%. The risk meter currently stands at +0.22, indicating a slightly risk-on tone.
Tuesday will see the release of the CB Consumer Confidence Index (USD) at 14:00 UTC. The consensus forecast stands at 81.5, slightly below the previous reading of 81.9.
Wednesday is a particularly busy day for market participants. Early in the session, Australia releases its CPI y/y and CPI m/m data at 00:30 UTC, with consensus figures at 4.2% and 0.7% respectively. The Trimmed Mean CPI m/m is also due, with a consensus of 0.3%. The Australian dollar has shown strength, gaining 0.31% over the last 24 hours, though retail books currently disagree by 28 points on AUDUSD positioning. Shortly after, at 01:00 UTC, the RBNZ Interest Rate Decision is scheduled, with the consensus expecting a hike to 3.00% from the previous 2.75%. This will be followed by the RBNZ Rate Statement and a Press Conference at 02:00 UTC. The New Zealand dollar has been the strongest performer over the last 24 hours, up 0.38%.
Later on Wednesday, the United Kingdom’s Annual Budget Release (GBP) is set for 12:30 UTC. The Canadian dollar will then be in focus with the BoC Interest Rate Decision at 13:45 UTC, where the consensus anticipates a rate increase to 2.50% from 2.25%. The BoC Rate Statement and Monetary Policy Report will accompany this, followed by a BOC Press Conference at 14:30 UTC. The Canadian dollar has seen a 0.06% gain in the last 24 hours, while retail books show a 20 point disagreement on USDCAD.
Also on Wednesday, the latest EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change (USD) data will be released at 14:30 UTC, with a consensus forecast of -2.067M. This follows recent EIA data showing significant surprises, including a +745.1% surprise in Cushing Crude Oil Stocks Change and a -657.0% surprise in Gasoline Stocks Change. The week culminates with the Fed Interest Rate Decision (USD) at 18:00 UTC, where the consensus expects the rate to remain at 4.00%.
The collective impact of these central bank policy updates and economic indicators will likely shape market sentiment and currency movements throughout the trading week.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Biggest moves since last week’s open | XAUUSD -4.05%, JP225 -1.50%, UK100 -1.43% |
| Currency strength, 24h | NZD strongest at +0.38%, CHF weakest at -0.58% |
| Risk meter | +0.22 (mildly risk-on) |
Scheduled this week (High and Medium impact)
| Time | Ccy | Event | Impact | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 14:00 UTC | USD | CB Consumer Confidence Index | High | 81.5 |
| Wed 00:30 UTC | AUD | CPI y/y | High | 4.2% |
| Wed 00:30 UTC | AUD | CPI m/m | High | 0.7% |
| Wed 00:30 UTC | AUD | Trimmed Mean CPI m/m | High | 0.3% |
| Wed 01:00 UTC | NZD | RBNZ Interest Rate Decision | High | 3.00% |
| Wed 01:00 UTC | NZD | RBNZ Rate Statement | High | – |
| Wed 02:00 UTC | NZD | RBNZ Press Conference | High | – |
| Wed 12:30 UTC | GBP | Annual Budget Release | High | – |
| Wed 13:45 UTC | CAD | BoC Interest Rate Decision | High | 2.50% |
| Wed 13:45 UTC | CAD | BoC Rate Statement | High | – |
| Wed 13:45 UTC | CAD | BoC Monetary Policy Report | High | – |
| Wed 14:30 UTC | USD | EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change | High | -2.067M |
| Wed 14:30 UTC | CAD | BOC Press Conference | High | – |
| Wed 18:00 UTC | USD | Fed Interest Rate Decision | High | 4.00% |
Times are UTC. This brief describes measured market state and the published schedule. It is not financial advice and nothing in it is a trade recommendation.