The Week Ahead: Retail Sales Data, Employment Report

• Retail sales data and ISM manufacturing data will be released Wednesday, April 1, alongside business inventories and final S&P manufacturing PMI
• The U.S. employment report and hourly wages data are scheduled for Friday, April 3, when markets will be closed for Good Friday
• Tuesday, March 31 will feature S&P Case-Shiller home price index, Chicago PMI, and consumer confidence data

Summary: The Week Ahead - Retail Sales Data, Employment Report

Key Dates and Market Schedule:

U.S. markets will observe a holiday-shortened week ending March 30 - April 3, 2026, with closure on Friday, April 3 for Good Friday.

Major Economic Data Releases:

• Tuesday, March 31: S&P Case-Shiller home price index, Chicago Business Barometer PMI, and consumer confidence data. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee scheduled to speak.

• Wednesday, April 1: Critical retail sales data, business inventories, final S&P U.S. manufacturing PMI, and ISM manufacturing data. St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem to deliver remarks.

• Thursday, April 2: Weekly jobless claims and U.S. trade deficit update.

• Friday, April 3: Despite market closure, U.S. employment report, hourly wages data, and S&P final U.S. services PMI will be released.

Earnings Reports:

A quiet earnings week with select companies reporting: Cal-Maine Foods (CALM), Conagra Brands (CAG), McCormick (MKC), and Nike (NKE).

Market Implications:

The condensed week will front-load critical economic indicators that typically drive market sentiment. Retail sales and employment data are particularly significant for assessing consumer strength and labor market conditions. The manufacturing PMI and ISM data will provide insights into industrial sector health. The release of employment figures on Good Friday, while markets are closed, may create volatility for Monday's open depending on results.

Investors should prepare for potentially compressed trading activity with major data releases concentrated in the first four days, limiting time for market reaction before the long weekend.