Kiplinger's Economic Calendar for This Week (March 17-21)

There are a number of key data points on the economic calendar, beginning Monday with the release of retail sales data for February, which is due ahead of the opening bell.

The highlight of the week comes Wednesday, when the Federal Open Market Committee will make its next interest-rate decision. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will host a press conference after the FOMC meeting.

Wall Street is looking for clarity from the central bank on monetary policy, notably Powell's perspective on the Trump administration's tariff plans and their potential impact on inflation.

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

Monday, March 17: Retail sales: The Wall Street consensus forecasts that consumers increased their spending activity in February.

Wednesday, March 19: Federal Open Market Committee meeting: The Fed is expected to maintain the federal funds rate at 4.25% to 4.50%.

You can read on to see the entire weekly economic calendar of the most important upcoming economic reports scheduled to be released over the next several days.

At times, we provide expanded previews and recaps for select reports.

Please check back often. This economic calendar is updated regularly.

Bolded reports are those considered more noteworthy. All reporting times are in Eastern Standard Time.

Economic calendar highlights

Monday (3/17)

Did retail sales rebound in February?

Wall Street is increasingly concerned about economic growth, which makes the Monday morning report from the Census Bureau on Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services in February a significant event for financial markets.

Consumer spending is the biggest driver of GDP growth.

In February, the Census Bureau reported that advance retail sales declined by 0.9% to $723.9 billion in January compared to December. Retail sales were up by 4.2% year over year.

"While the market remains fixated on the potential impacts of U.S. policy changes," writes Jefferies Chief U.S. Economist Tom Simons, "the more coincidental data suggests that the U.S. consumer remains strong for now."

As Simons explains, "We could certainly see weakness emerge as heightened uncertainty translates to slower growth and potentially higher unemployment."

The first quarter "could be too soon to expect a consumption pullback" given "relatively long lag" related to policy changes. "We will carefully watch how the data fluctuates over the next several months," Simons says.

Tuesday (3/18)

Wednesday (3/19)

What will Powell say?

Fed funds futures pricing reflects a 99% probability the FOMC will keep its main benchmark unchanged at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday.

But, given rising concern about economic growth, tariffs and the potential for resurgent inflation, this one will be widely watched.

"We look for the FOMC to keep rates on hold at its meeting on March 19, an expectation that is universally shared," write Wells Fargo economists Jay Bryson, Sarah House and Michael Pugliese. "We believe the median dot for 2025 in the so-called dot plot will remain unchanged."

The economists do say they "would not be surprised if Chair Powell makes a dovish comment or two in his post-meeting press conference in light of recent policy uncertainty that has led to financial market volatility."

Thursday (3/20)

Friday (3/21)

Reporting schedules are provided Forex Factory and MarketWatch.

Related content

• When Is the Next Fed Meeting?
• When Is the Next Jobs Report?
• Kiplinger's Earnings Calendar
• Stock Market Trading Hours
• Stock Market Holidays in 2025