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This week’s market volatility is predicted to be off the charts with a packed economic schedule. Investors are staring down a macro "Double Header": Labor data (NFP) dropping mid-week and the big Inflation print (CPI) closing us out on Friday.
The "soft landing" narrative is about to face a serious stress test. If the NFP comes in too hot and CPI remains sticky, expectations for a Fed rate cut might just take a backseat.
If you have exposure to the tech sector or major US indices, keep your head on a swivel this week.
Here are the main catalysts that will move the needle:
All eyes will be glued to the markets on Super Wednesday as the labor market takes center stage. We are looking at the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) and unemployment data dropping earlier than usual on Wednesday night, which could set the tone for the rest of the week.
Expect a heated finish on Friday with the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This crucial inflation data is likely the final puzzle piece that will dictate the Fed's next policy move, so expect some chop around the closing bell.
On Tuesday, we get a vibe check on the US consumer via the Retail Sales data. This will tell us if spending power is holding up or finally cracking under the pressure of high interest rates.
Here is the schedule of key economic data converted to Western Indonesian Time (WIB). Set your alarms for events marked High Impact.
Day/Date (WIB)
Event / Economic Data
Forecast
Impact
Mon, Feb 9 (23:30)
Fed Board of Governors Meeting
N/A
Low
Tue, Feb 10 (20:30)
Retail Sales (MoM)
0.4%
High
Tue, Feb 10 (20:30)
Core Retail Sales (MoM)
0.4%
High
Wed, Feb 11 (20:30)
Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP)
70K
High
Wed, Feb 11 (20:30)
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
High
Wed, Feb 11 (20:30)
Average Hourly Earnings (MoM)
0.3%
High
Wed, Feb 11 (22:30)
Crude Oil Inventories
-
High
Thu, Feb 12 (01:00)
10-Year Note Auction
-
High
Thu, Feb 12 (20:30)
Initial Jobless Claims
222K
High
Thu, Feb 12 (22:00)
Existing Home Sales
4.22M
High
Fri, Feb 13 (01:01)
30-Year Bond Auction
-
High
Fri, Feb 13 (20:30)
Consumer Price Index (CPI) YoY
2.5%
High
Fri, Feb 13 (20:30)
Core CPI (MoM)
0.3%
High
Fri, Feb 13 (20:30)
CPI (MoM)
0.3%
High
Earnings Calendar
This week we're looking at performance from the Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Consumer Staples sectors. Watch the release times to anticipate price gaps at market open.
Data this week isn't just numbers; it's a roadmap for future institutional fund flows.
The Main Risk: CPI & NFP
The combo of NFP on Wednesday and CPI on Friday creates a risk of two-way volatility.
If NFP prints above 70K (showing a tight labor market) and Friday's CPI stays above 2.5%, the bond market could get hammered. Rising Treasury yields are basically kryptonite for high-growth tech stocks like Cloudflare ($NET) and Datadog ($DDOG).
Consumer Spending Indicator
Before we get the inflation numbers, Tuesday gives us Retail Sales. If this number comes in strong (above 0.4%), it's a positive signal for the economy (less recession risk) but could also give the Fed a reason to keep rates "higher for longer."
Also, keep an eye on Coca-Cola ($KO) earnings to confirm this narrative from the corporate side.
Sector Rotation
With the 10-Year and 30-Year Note Auctions happening early Thursday and Friday morning (WIB), market liquidity might get sucked up a bit. Make sure you're monitoring bond yields as your primary risk sentiment indicator this week.
Ready to face this week's volatility? Top up your Gotrade account now and ride the market momentum.
Gotrade is the trading name of Gotrade Securities Inc., which is registered with and supervised by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA). This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing.