Global financial markets are carefully anticipating this week the release of a package of decisive U.S. economic data that will directly determine trends in gold prices and the dollar exchange rate, providing the Federal Reserve with a clearer view of its future and upcoming interest rate decisions.
The main market events scheduled throughout the week are six pivotal occurrences, as reported by the News Video Agency.
Job Opportunities and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM Baghdad time
Expected course: The report measures the number of job openings in the United States. Positive and higher-than-expected figures support the assumption of a robust U.S. economy, giving the dollar upward momentum and placing additional downward pressure on gold prices.
ADP Private Employment Report
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 3:15 PM Baghdad time
Expected course: The report is a preliminary leak of employment data for private companies and usually causes rapid and test movements for gold and dollar levels as a precursor to what the end-of-week data will reveal.
Chicago Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 4:45 PM Baghdad time
Expected course: The index provides a direct assessment of economic and industrial activity in one of the key U.S. districts. Positive figures support the dollar's strength and reduce the appeal of the yellow metal.
Weekly Unemployment Claims
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 3:30 PM Baghdad time
Expected course: Weekly data reveal the number of new applicants for unemployment benefits. A decrease in claims reflects the resilience of the labor market, bolstering the position of the U.S. dollar and pushing gold lower.
ISM Manufacturing Index
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM Baghdad time
Expected course: The index indicates the state of the manufacturing sector between expansion and contraction and is one of the indicators that has a direct and immediate impact on fluctuations in gold prices in spot trading.
Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) and Unemployment Rate
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026, at 3:30 PM Baghdad time
Expected course: The report serves as a ticking time bomb for markets this week, as it is the key determinant of the Federal Reserve's outlook on interest rates at its upcoming meeting. The moment it is released usually coincides with the most severe upward or downward movements observed in gold throughout the week.