High-Impact Economic Calendar – August 28, 2025
Timeline: GMT |
Focused Currencies: CHF, USD, JPY

07:00 GMT
Switzerland – GDP Growth Rate YoY
Forecast: 1.3% | Previous: 2.0%

Currency: CHF
Market insight:
Growth in one of the world’s wealthiest economies looks to be cooling. With Switzerland’s strength rooted in pharmaceuticals, hi-tech, and banking, a slowdown could dent confidence and weigh on the franc.

12:30 GMT
United States – GDP Growth Rate QoQ
Forecast: 3.0% | Previous: -0.5%

Currency: USD
Why it matters:
From contraction to a sharp rebound — this print could reshape market sentiment. Strong GDP would reinforce the U.S. growth story, bolster Fed confidence, and underpin dollar strength.

12:30 GMT
United States – Initial Jobless Claims
Forecast: 237K | Previous: 235K

Currency: USD
Trading takeaway:
Still near historic lows, weekly claims continue to showcase labor market resilience. Any upside surprise could quickly shift USD direction as traders reassess Fed outlook.

23:30 GMT
Japan – Unemployment Rate
Forecast: 2.5% | Previous: 2.5%

Currency: JPY
Quick take:
Japan’s job market remains one of the tightest globally. A steady reading keeps yen direction muted, but a drop would add fuel to expectations of stronger consumer demand.

23:50 GMT
Japan – Retail Sales MoM
Forecast: 0.3% | Previous: 1.0%

Currency: JPY
Market insight:
Household demand appears to be slowing after a strong June. Any miss here could deepen worries over domestic consumption — a key growth pillar for Japan.

23:50 GMT
Japan – Retail Sales YoY
Forecast: 2.2% | Previous: 2.0%

Currency: JPY
Why traders care:
Even with monthly softness, annual sales are improving. Stronger consumer spending would support growth momentum and lend underlying strength to the yen.

23:50 GMT
Japan – Industrial Production MoM
Forecast: -0.5% | Previous: 2.1%

Currency: JPY
What’s at stake:
A sharp swing from strong June output to contraction would highlight fragile manufacturing conditions. Markets will be alert — this release often sets the tone for yen movement.
How Markets React to Major Economic Announcements
U.S. GDP Final Q1 & Jobless Claims Data – June 26, 2025
On June 26, 2025, U.S. labor market data pointed to softening conditions as weekly jobless claims fell by 10,000 to 236,000, but continuing claims rose to 1.974 million, the highest since 2021, signaling hiring struggles. Economists warned that President Trump’s tariffs were creating uncertainty, making businesses reluctant to expand payrolls, with the unemployment rate expected to tick up to 4.3% in June. At the same time, first-quarter GDP was revised down to a 0.5% contraction from an earlier 0.2% estimate, reflecting weaker consumer spending, while the goods trade deficit widened 11.1% to $96.6 billion on falling exports. Durable goods orders rebounded 16.4% in May, driven by a 230% surge in commercial aircraft, though underlying business spending remained constrained by tariff uncertainty. Despite softening data, the Federal Reserve held rates steady at 4.25%-4.50%, signaling caution as inflation risks from tariffs persisted.
Market Note: Geopolitical Risk & Earnings Season Volatility
Keep a close eye on geopolitical tensions — they can significantly impact market volatility, shift risk sentiment, and weigh on global equity performance.
Earnings season is a major catalyst for price action across global indices. While headline names like the US30, S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, FTSE 100, and DAX40 often take the spotlight, broader equity benchmarks worldwide can also react sharply. Market sentiment is shaped not only by results, but also by forward guidance and executive commentary — making this a key period for both opportunity and risk.
Disclaimer: The content provided is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as trading or financial advice. This analysis seeks to enhance your understanding of market behavior and highlight potential opportunities that may have existed, offering insights into how the market operates and the possibilities it may present.