A shorter week for much of the nation won't leave us with a shortage of financial events that can shape the market and your portfolio. Here's what to watch from Monday 6 October.

As usual, this info comes to us from the experts at CommSec.

Holiday-shortened week in much of Australia as US earnings season kicks off. Residents in South Australia, NSW and the ACT will mark the Labour Day public holiday on Monday, while Queenslanders observe the King’s Birthday holiday. The ASX remains open for trade.

As usual, this info comes to us from the experts at CommSec.

Australia

Monday 6 October

Melbourne Institute inflation gauge (September)
A flat outcome is expected, suggesting price pressures may be stabilising ahead of Q4.

Tuesday 7 October

Westpac consumer confidence index (October)
Sentiment could rebound 3.2% after last month’s 3.1% drop to 95.4 points. Confidence remains below neutral.

ANZ-Indeed job advertisements (September)
Expected to fall 0.4%. August saw a flat result, pointing to continued labour market resilience despite high rates.

Thursday 9 October

Consumer inflation expectations (October)
Tipped to ease from 4.7% to 4.5%, continuing a downward trend that could comfort the RBA.

Friday 10 October

Monthly business turnover indicator (August)
Turnover rose 2.9% in July. Another solid print would support broader economic momentum.

Overseas

Tuesday 7 October

US international trade balance (August)
A deficit of US$61.4bn is expected. Sluggish exports continue to weigh on net trade.

US 1-year consumer inflation expectations (September)
Tipped to ease from 3.2% to 3.1%, a key forward-looking inflation gauge for the Fed.

US consumer credit (August)
Total credit growth of US$15bn is expected, with markets watching household leverage trends.

Wednesday 8 October

Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ) interest rate decision
A 50-basis-point cut is expected as the RBNZ acts to boost the slowing Kiwi economy.

US Federal Reserve (FOMC) meeting minutes
FOMC cut rates by 25 basis points in September. Minutes should confirm a dovish tilt and ongoing easing bias.

Thursday 9 October

US wholesale trade sales (August)
Sales rose 1.4% in July. Another strong result would support soft landing hopes.

US wholesale inventories (August)
Stocks could fall 0.2%. Inventory drawdowns may weigh on Q3 GDP.

Friday 10 October

US University of Michigan consumer sentiment index (October, preliminary)
Tipped to dip slightly from 55.1 to 54.3. High interest rates and inflation still weigh on households.

US Federal budget balance (September)

The deficit hit US$344.8bn in August. Markets will watch closely amid a potential government shutdown-related delay.

Key themes to watch

• Australia: Confidence, job ads and inflation expectations will guide RBA watchers. Watch for a wave of dividend payments from major names like Harvey Norman, Reece and Duxton Water.
• New Zealand: RBNZ may deliver a 50bp rate cut—potentially the largest move since the start of the cycle.
• United States: Key inflation expectations, trade, credit and sentiment data expected—though delays may occur due to the US government shutdown.
• US earnings: Q3 reporting season begins with Delta Air Lines and PepsiCo (Thursday), and BlackRock (Friday).

Check back next Monday for the latest investor calendar, only on Switzer.