Initial jobless claims and Fed speakers headline Thursday’s economic events

As traders approach another pivotal day for financial markets, Thursday, January 9, 2025, brings a series of crucial economic data releases and Federal Reserve speeches that could sway market dynamics. The spotlight will be on the initial jobless claims report, which serves as a key indicator of the U.S. labor market’s health. Additionally, several Federal Reserve officials are scheduled to speak, potentially offering insights into future monetary policy decisions.

Major Economic Events to Watch

• 8:30 AM ET – Initial Jobless Claims: Expected at 210K, previous 211K. This weekly report measures first-time unemployment insurance claims.

Other Important Economic Events to Watch

• 8:30 AM ET – Continuing Jobless Claims: Previous 1,844K. Measures ongoing unemployment benefit claims.

• 9:00 AM ET – FOMC Member Harker Speaks: Philadelphia Fed President to provide economic insights.

• 1:00 PM ET – Atlanta Fed GDPNow: Forecast 2.7%, previous 2.7%. Real-time estimate of GDP growth.

• 1:35 PM ET – FOMC Member Bowman Speaks: Fed Governor to discuss economic outlook.

• 4:30 PM ET – Fed’s Balance Sheet: Previous $6,852B. Weekly report on Fed’s assets and liabilities.

• 4:30 PM ET – Reserve balances with Federal Reserve : Previous $2.892T. Indicates depository institutions’ account balances.

Other Economic Events to Watch

• 6:00 AM ET – NFIB Small Business Optimism: Previous 101.7. Indicates small business sentiment.

• 7:30 AM ET – Challenger Job Cuts: Previous 57.727K. Reports on announced corporate layoffs.

• 8:30 AM ET – Jobless Claims 4-Week Avg.: Previous 223.25K. Smoothed measure of weekly jobless claims.

• 10:00 AM ET – Wholesale Inventories: Forecast -0.2%, previous -0.2%. Measures change in wholesale inventory levels.

• 10:00 AM ET – Wholesale Trade Sales: Previous -0.1%. Indicates change in wholesale sales value.

• 10:30 AM ET – Natural Gas Storage: Previous -116B. Measures weekly change in inventories.

• 11:30 AM ET – 4-Week Bill Auction: Previous 4.265%. Treasury bill auction results.

• 11:30 AM ET – 8-Week Bill Auction: Previous 4.240%. Treasury bill auction results.

• 12:40 PM ET – FOMC Member Barkin Speaks: Richmond Fed President to provide economic insights.

• 1:30 PM ET – Fed Schmid Speaks: Kansas City Fed President to discuss economic outlook.

For further information and the latest updates, please refer to our Economic Calendar, here.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.