The economic calendar is packed full of potential market-moving events, most notably Friday morning's release of the March jobs report. Wall Street won't have to wait long to hear what the Federal Reserve has to say about the state of the labor market, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell set to deliver an end-of-week speech at the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing Annual Conference.
Friday, April 4: Nonfarm payrolls report: BofA Securities economists believe job growth picked up in March.
Friday, April 4: Fed Chair Powell speaks: Wall Street will look to Powell's economic outlook for his reaction to the March jobs data and retaliatory tariffs, though he'll likely remain tight-lipped about monetary policy.
You can read on to see the entire weekly economic calendar of the most important upcoming economic reports scheduled to be released over the next several days. At times, we provide expanded previews and recaps for select reports.
Please check back often. This economic calendar is updated regularly.
Bolded reports are those considered more noteworthy. All reporting times are in Eastern Standard Time.
Economic calendar highlights
Monday (3/31)
Tuesday (4/1)
Wednesday (4/2)
Thursday (4/3)
Friday (4/4)
Job growth likely accelerated in March
Wall Street is keeping a close eye on the labor market amid a steady stream of headlines pointing to layoffs in both the public and private spheres. This is why Friday morning's release of the monthly jobs report is so highly anticipated.
The February jobs report showed the U.S. added fewer payrolls than expected and the figures for November and December were revised lower. Additionally, the unemployment rate ticked higher, to 4.1% from 4.0%.
This time around, BofA Securities economists expect a "robust" 185,000 new jobs were added in March – more than the 135,000 economists are expecting. "Government job growth is expected to come in at just 10,000 due to the federal hiring freeze/DOGE," the group writes. They also think the unemployment rate will stay at 4.1%.
What will Powell say about reciprocal tariffs, jobs?
The stock market tends to listen when Jerome Powell speaks. As just one example, stocks shot higher in the wake of the March Fed meeting after Fed Chair Powell emphasized the central bank is watching hard data, which looks good and shows the economy remains strong.
That's why Friday's late-morning appearance from Powell is one of the most anticipated events on the economic calendar. In addition to following the release of the March jobs report, the appearance comes right on the heels of April 2 – what President Donald Trump calls "Liberation Day" – when the administration is expected to unveil reciprocal tariffs.
While it's unlikely he'll make specific comments on the policy moves, market participants are hopeful that he'll provide color on future rate cuts.
According to CME Group's FedWatch Tool, futures traders are currently pricing in a 85% chance the Fed will keep the federal funds rate unchanged at its meeting in May, though a quarter-point rate cut is currently expected at its June gathering.
Reporting schedules are provided Forex Factory and MarketWatch.
