Week Ahead: ISM Services, Trade Balance, FOMC Minutes and Claims

The U.S. economic calendar for the week beginning Monday, October 5, 2026, includes the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee as its main scheduled policy event. The figures below are consensus estimates and prior readings for releases scheduled for that week; results are not included.

Monday brings the ISM services PMI for September, with an estimate of 55 against a previous reading of 55.4.

On Tuesday, August trade data are due. The balance of trade is expected to show a deficit of $102 billion, compared with $92.8 billion previously. Imports are forecast at $416.8 billion after $403.6 billion, and exports at $314.6 billion after $310.7 billion. Fed officials Williams, Bowman, Schmid and Logan are scheduled to speak, and API crude inventory figures follow later in the day, with a prior reading of 1.019 million.

Wednesday features EIA inventory data, with crude stocks expected to rise by 1.7 million after a 0.922 million increase, and gasoline stocks expected to fall by 1.7 million. The FOMC minutes are also scheduled for release that day.

On Thursday, initial jobless claims are expected at 200 thousand, compared with 199 thousand previously, and continuing claims at 1.71 million after 1.699 million. The four-week average is forecast at 198 thousand. Fed officials Waller and Musalem are scheduled to speak. On Friday, Fed official Collins speaks, and the CFTC publishes its weekly positioning data, with S&P 500 speculative net positions previously at -142.5 thousand contracts.

The calendar for the week does not include monthly inflation or payroll releases.

Data

Data: FMP. Figures are close-to-close unless stated.