Markets hit the ground running in the new year. Here's what the first back-to-work week for the world of finance will bring (and what you can expect).

Monday January 12

Monthly household spending indicator (November)
Updated estimates of household spending trends.

ANZ‑Indeed job advertisements (December)
Job ads have fallen for five straight months.

Tuesday January 13

Westpac consumer confidence (January)
Sentiment remains weighed down by inflation and interest rate worries.

US consumer price index (CPI, December)
Annual core CPI is at a four‑year low.

US NFIB small business optimism index (December)
Brighter outlook for sales and activity.

Wednesday January 14

Job vacancies (November)
Private sector job ads are down 3.9% year‑on‑year.

China international trade (December)
A trade surplus of US$105 billion is expected.

US producer price index (PPI, November)
Core PPI could lift 2.7% year‑on‑year.

Thursday January 15

US import & export prices (November)
Focus on import price pressures.

US retail sales (December)
Sales were flat in October — a key post‑holiday read.

US Empire State manufacturing index (January)
Factory activity contracted in December.

US Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index (January)
A closely watched regional survey.

Friday January 16

US NAHB housing market index (January)
Builder sentiment is at an eight‑month high.

Key themes to watch

• Inflation cooling: CPI and PPI data in Australia and the US suggest price pressures are easing.
• Labour market softening: Job ads, vacancies and US employment data point to slower hiring.
• Housing stabilisation: Home prices and approvals hint at improving momentum.
• 2026 outlook: Central bank minutes will shape expectations for the next phase of rate policy.

Check back early in the New Year for the first full investor calendar of 2026 — only on Switzer.