• AU employment and the US Core PCE Index are the key headliners this week.
• AU Emp change +20.1K (prev +65.2K), unemp rate 4.2% (prev 4.1%).
• AUDUSD is still expected to be a little bullish this week, pivoting between 0.6995 & 0.7144.
• AUDUSD STILL ABOVE 70c!
• This week we have the AU Wage Price Index, AU employment, FOMC minutes & US Core PCE Index as the main economic events this week.
• AU employment expected @ +20.1K (prev +65.2K) with the unemployment rate set to increase to 4.2% (prev 4.1%). Overall, this is more negative for the AUD, so we may see a move to the downside.
• US FOMC minutes are likely to show the commentary from the previous decision, but can also include forward guidance, which will be key for the USD.
• US Core PCE index expected @ 0.3% m/m (prev 0.2%), although unlikely to move the needle, does provide insights into US inflation.
• With the AUD expected to continue its climb after taking a short break, this might be something for importers to monitor closely!
| Economic Calendar: Mon 16th February 2026 – Friday 20th February 2026 (High Impact) (AU/US) | |||||
| Day | Time(AEST) | Event | Country | Forecast | Previous |
| Wed | 11:30am | Wage Price Index q/q | US | 0.8% | 0.8% |
| Thurs | 6:00am | FOMC Meeting Minutes | US | N/A | N/A |
| 11:30am | Employment Change | AU | 20.1K | 65.2K | |
| Unemployment Rate | AU | 4.2% | 4.1% | ||
| Fri | 12:30am | Unemployment Claims | US | 229K | 227K |
| Sat | 12:30am | Advance GDP q/q | US | 2.8% | 4.4% |
| Core PCE Price Index m/m | US | 0.3% | 0.2% | ||
| 1:45am | Flash Manufacturing PMI | US | 52.1 | 52.4 | |
| Flash Services PMI | US | 52.8 | 52.7 | ||
Source: forexfactory.com