Investing.com - In the week ahead, market players will be turning their attention to Friday’s final reading on U.S. fourth quarter gross domestic product for fresh indications on the strength of the economy.
Reports on U.S. durable goods orders and home sales will also be in focus, as investors attempt to gauge if the world's largest economy is strong enough to withstand further rate hikes in 2016.
Markets are closed Friday for Good Friday. Below-average trade volume in a holiday-shortened week could exacerbate any moves and increase volatility.
Meanwhile, traders will be looking to Tuesday’s survey data on euro zone business activity as well as fresh readings on German economic sentiment for indications on the health of the region’s economy.
U.K. consumer price inflation and retail sales data will also be in focus.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of the five biggest events on the economic calendar that are most likely to affect the markets.
1. U.S. fourth quarter GDP - third estimate
The U.S. is to release final figures on fourth quarter economic growth at 12:30GMT, or 8:30AM, Friday. The data is expected to confirm that the economy expanded by 1.0% in the final three months of last year, unchanged from a preliminary estimate and slowing from growth of 2.0% in the third quarter.
2. U.S. durable goods orders for February
The U.S. is to produce data on February durable goods orders at 12:30GMT, or 8:30AM ET, on Thursday. The report is expected to show that orders for durable goods slumped 2.8% last month, following a gain of 4.7% in January, while core orders are forecast to inch down 0.2% after rising 1.7% a month earlier.
3. U.S. February home sales data
The National Association of Realtors is to release data on existing home sales for February at 14:00GMT, or 10:00AM ET, on Monday, amid forecasts for a decline of 2.2% to 5.34 million, following a gain of 0.4% a month earlier.
On Wednesday, the Commerce Department is to publish a report on new home sales for February at 10:00AM ET. The data is expected to show a gain of 3.1% to 510,000, following a drop of 9.2% in January.
4. Flash euro zone PMIs for March
The euro zone is to publish preliminary data on manufacturing and service sector activity for March at 9:00GMT, or 5:00AM ET, amid expectations for a modest improvement.
Ahead of the euro zone PMI's, France and Germany will release their own PMI reports at 8:00GMT and 8:30GMT respectively.
Meanwhile, a pair of reports on March German business sentiment will also be in focus on Tuesday. The Ifo research institute will publish its German business climate index at 9:00GMT, while the ZEW Institute will release its own report at 10:00GMT.
5. U.K. inflation & retail sales data
The U.K. Office for National Statistics will release data on consumer price inflation for February at 9:30GMT, or 5:30AM, on Tuesday. Analysts expect consumer prices to inch up 0.4%, following a 0.3% gain a month earlier.
On Thursday, the ONS will produce a report on February retail sales at 9:30GMT, which will offer further clues on the strength of the economy and the timing of a rate hike by the Bank of England.
Expectations for a rate hike by the BOE have been recently pushed back to early-2017 due uncertainty over a June referendum on whether or not Britain should stay in the European Union.
Stay up-to-date on all of this week's economic events by visiting: http://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/