5 Things to Watch on the Economic Calendar This Week

5 Things to Watch on the Economic Calendar This Week

In the week ahead, trading volumes are expected to remain light due to the Christmas holiday and as many traders already closed books before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.

The U.S. is to release key reports on gross domestic product, durable goods orders, home sales and jobless claims, as traders look for further indications on the strength of the economy.

Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.

1. U.S. Q3 GDP final release

The U.S. is to publish final figures on third quarter economic growth at 8:30AM Eastern Time Tuesday. The data is expected to show that the economy expanded 1.9% in the three months ended September 30, compared to last month’s preliminary estimate of 2.1%.

2. U.S. durable goods data

The U.S. is to produce data on durable goods orders at 8:30AM ET on Wednesday. The report is expected to show that orders for durable goods declined 0.6% in November, following a gain of 2.9% a month earlier, while core orders are forecast to rise 0.1% after increasing 0.5% in October.

3. U.S. home sales data

The National Association of Realtors is to release data on existing home sales for November at 10:00AM ET on Tuesday, amid forecasts for a gain of 0.5% to 5.37 million, following a decline of 3.4% a month earlier.

On Wednesday, the Commerce Department is to publish a report on new home sales for November at 10:00AM ET. The data is expected to show a gain of 2.0% to 505,000, following an increase of 10.7% in October.

4. U.S. initial jobless claims

The U.S. is to release a weekly report on initial jobless claims at 8:30AM ET Thursday, amid expectations for a decline of 1,000 to 270,000.

5. Christmas vacation

Markets in Germany will remain closed in observance of Christmas Eve on Thursday. On Friday, markets in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the U.K., Switzerland, Canada and the U.S. will remain closed for the Christmas Day holiday.

Stay up-to-date on all of this week’s economic events by visiting:http://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/