Traders are preparing for a concentrated set of U.S. economic releases on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with early labor market data and private-sector activity gauges likely to draw the most attention. The schedule features the weekly Initial Jobless Claims report alongside Services and Manufacturing PMIs - data points that together give a near-term snapshot of employment trends and business conditions.
The day begins with the weekly unemployment filings report, which is often cited as the first timely indicator of labor market dynamics. At 8:30 AM ET the Initial Jobless Claims report is due - the consensus forecast stands at 212,000 claims, up from the prior week’s 207,000. The Continuing Jobless Claims series, also released at 8:30 AM ET, provides the count of individuals currently receiving unemployment benefits; the previous reading was 1,818,000.
Mid-morning releases will focus on private-sector activity. At 9:45 AM ET market watchers will receive the Services PMI and Manufacturing PMI readings. The Services PMI is forecast at 50.1, edging above the prior 49.8 reading, while the Manufacturing PMI is projected at 52.5 compared with the previous 52.3. Both PMIs are compiled from surveys of purchasing managers and are interpreted as forward-looking indicators of business conditions, with readings above 50 signaling expansion.
Also at 9:45 AM ET the S&P Global Composite PMI - which blends manufacturing and services data to present a combined view of private-sector performance - will be referenced; its previous reading was 50.3.
Major Economic Events to Watch
- 8:30 AM ET - Initial Jobless Claims: Forecast 212K vs. Previous 207K - Measures first-time filings for unemployment insurance, an early labor market indicator.
- 8:30 AM ET - Continuing Jobless Claims: Previous 1,818K - Tracks the number of people currently receiving unemployment benefits.
- 9:45 AM ET - Services PMI: Forecast 50.1 vs. Previous 49.8 - Survey-based measure of service sector business conditions; readings above 50 indicate expansion.
- 9:45 AM ET - Manufacturing PMI: Forecast 52.5 vs. Previous 52.3 - Purchasing managers’ assessment of manufacturing activity, a leading indicator for that sector.
Other Important Economic Events to Watch
- 9:45 AM ET - S&P Global Composite PMI: Previous 50.3 - Combines manufacturing and services PMI readings to provide a consolidated private-sector snapshot.
- 4:30 PM ET - Reserve balances with Federal Reserve Banks: Previous $2.980T - The amount depository institutions hold in accounts at the Federal Reserve; a weekly liquidity metric.
- 4:30 PM ET - Fed’s Balance Sheet: Previous $6,706B - Weekly disclosure of the Federal Reserve’s assets and liabilities.
Additional Scheduled Releases
- 8:30 AM ET - Chicago Fed National Activity: Previous -0.11 - Regional index tracking economic activity across several Midwestern states.
- 8:30 AM ET - Jobless Claims 4-Week Avg.: Previous 209.75K - A smoothing measure to reduce week-to-week volatility in initial claims.
- 9:30 AM ET - Natural Gas Storage: Previous 59B - Weekly change in natural gas held in underground storage, relevant to energy markets.
- 10:00 AM ET - KC Fed Manufacturing Index: Previous 11 - Regional manufacturing activity indicator for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s district.
- 10:00 AM ET - KC Fed Composite Index: Previous 11 - Broader measure of manufacturing trends in the Kansas City Fed region.
- 10:30 AM ET - 4-Week Bill Auction: Previous 3.595% - Short-term Treasury auction informing government borrowing costs.
- 10:30 AM ET - 8-Week Bill Auction: Previous 3.615% - Slightly longer-term Treasury bill auction.
Taken together, these releases span labor market indicators, private-sector sentiment, regional manufacturing surveys, energy inventories and short-term Treasury funding. Each data point can affect different corners of financial markets: initial and continuing jobless claims feed into labor-related sentiment and consumer demand outlooks; PMI readings offer insight into services and manufacturing activity; natural gas storage influences energy prices; and Treasury bill auctions and Fed balance metrics speak to short-term funding conditions and liquidity.
For further information and the latest updates, please refer to our Economic Calendar.