Oil prices extend losses as traders downplay Russia sanction risks
As traders approach another pivotal day for financial markets, Friday, July 18, 2025, brings a series of crucial economic data releases that could sway market dynamics. The spotlight falls on building permits, a key indicator of housing market demand, which is expected to provide insights into the construction sector’s health and broader economic trends.
Major Economic Events to Watch
• 8:30 AM ET - Building Permits (Jun): A measure of new building permits issued, forecasted at 1.390M, previous 1.394M. This data is crucial for gauging housing market demand and future construction activity.
Other Important Economic Events to Watch
• 8:30 AM ET - Housing Starts (Jun): Annualized number of new residential buildings that began construction, expected at 1.290M, previous 1.256M. Indicates strength in the housing sector.
• 10:00 AM ET - Michigan Consumer Expectations (Jul): Final reading of consumer expectations component, forecast at 55.0, previous 58.1. Reflects consumer outlook on future economic conditions.
• 10:00 AM ET - Michigan Consumer Sentiment (Jul): Preliminary reading on consumer sentiment, expected at 61.4, previous 60.7. Indicates consumer confidence levels.
• 11:30 AM ET - Atlanta Fed GDPNow (Q2): Running estimate of real GDP growth, forecast at 2.4%, previous 2.4%. Provides insight into current quarter economic growth.
• 1:00 PM ET - Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) U.S. Rig Count: Weekly count of active oil rigs, previous 424. Serves as a leading indicator of oil industry activity.
• 1:00 PM ET - U.S. Baker Hughes Total (EPA:TTEF) Rig Count: Total number of active drilling rigs, previous 537. Reflects overall drilling activity across sectors.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC S&P 500 speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in S&P 500 futures, previous -140.0K. Indicates market sentiment among speculators.
Other Economic Events to Watch
• 10:00 AM ET - Michigan 1-Year Inflation Expectations (Jul): Consumer expectations for inflation over the next year, previous 5.0%.
• 10:00 AM ET - Michigan Current Conditions (Jul): Preliminary reading on current economic conditions, forecast at 63.9, previous 64.8.
• 10:00 AM ET - Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations (Jul): Consumer expectations for long-term inflation, previous 4.0%.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Aluminium speculative net positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in aluminium futures, previous 0.3K.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Copper speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in copper futures, previous 39.6K.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Silver speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in silver futures, previous 58.5K.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Natural Gas speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in natural gas futures, previous -87.8K.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Wheat speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in wheat futures, previous -61.8K.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Corn speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in corn futures, previous -141.8K.
• 3:30 PM ET - CFTC Soybeans speculative positions: Weekly report on speculative positions in soybean futures, previous 38.1K.
For further information and the latest updates, please refer to our Economic Calendar, here.
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