Forecasting the upcoming week: Markets enter the new year calmly, US Dollar stable ahead of key data

Financial markets extend the holiday mood on the first trading day of the new year. Markets continue playing the waiting game for a data-driven next week.

Dow Jones Industrial Average steadies as chip gains offset tech weakness in 2026 start

US equities opened 2026 on a cautious note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq essentially flat as strength in semiconductors offset weakness elsewhere in technology.

Canadian Dollar softens slightly amid tepid start to new year

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) hit a bit of a soft patch on Friday, kicking off the first trading day of 2026 on the back foot. The Loonie is one of the worst performers for the day, shedding weight against all but one of its major currency peers.

US jobs report takes center stage next week – Deutsche Bank

The US jobs report will be the main economic release next week, with other US data including the ISM indices and consumer sentiment. Elsewhere, the focus will be on inflation in Europe and China, whilst wage data is due in Japan, Deutsche Bank's economists report.

EUR/USD is on its back foot, awaiting US Manufacturing PMI data

EUR/USD extends losses on Friday's European session, trading near 1.1720 heading into the US trading session, down from highs past 1.1800 in late December.