Goldman Sachs Raises ECB Rate Hike Forecast Amid Persistent Energy-Driven Inflation 
ECB Eyes Rate Hike Amid Iran Conflict-Driven Energy Price Surge 
BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty 
J.P. Morgan Now Expects Two ECB Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Pressures 
Fed Holds Rates Steady as Middle East Conflict Clouds Inflation Outlook 
Fed Rate Cut Hopes Fade as Oil Prices Stoke Inflation Fears 
ANZ and Westpac Forecast Two RBA Rate Hikes in March and May 2026 
In terms of volatility risks, this week is heavy with the focus of central banks and geopolitics,
What to watch for over the coming days:
Central Banks:
- Bank of Japan (BoJ) will announce the monetary policy decision on Tuesday.
- Federal Reserve will announce monetary policy decision on Wednesday.
- Bank of England (BoE) will announce monetary policy on Thursday.
Economic data:
- Japan’s unemployment report on Monday.
- German inflation report on Tuesday, retail sales and unemployment reports on Wednesday.
- U.S. income and spending report on Tuesday, ADP employment report on Wednesday, ISM manufacturing PMI on Thursday, and NFP report on Friday.
- China’s official manufacturing PMI reports on Wednesday and Caixin manufacturing report on Thursday.
- Australia’s inflation report on Wednesday.
- Eurozone Q2 GDP and July inflation report on Wednesday.
- Manufacturing PMI reports from all around the world to be released on Thursday.
Geopolitics:
- U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to hold trade talks with Chinese counterparts this week.
