U.S. GDP and Inflation Releases to Test Outlook as Markets Look Beyond Expected Fed Hold

Third-quarter GDP and September PCE inflation arrive the day after the Fed decision, and may shape expectations for a December hike.

Not investment advice: this article is for information only.

Chanan Zevin - Chief Editor and Head of Desks

Published 26 October 2026 at 13:23 GMT+3

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The Fed

A Reuters poll found nearly all economists expect the Fed to skip a move in October but raise rates again in December. The Fed raised rates in September for the first time since 2023, Bloomberg reported via The Economic Times.

The data

GOV.HOUSE said the Fed votes on 28 October and Q3 GDP and September PCE are due on 29 October. Newsquawk's preview lists PCE among the week's key releases.

Why it matters

With inflation still above the Fed's 2% target, a strong GDP print or hot PCE number would support the case for a December hike that markets already expect.

Sources

Reuters via Investing.com, 'Fed to skip October but raise rates again in December, nearly all economists say: Reuters poll' · investing.com
GOV.HOUSE, 'The Fed votes Oct. 28, PCE arrives Oct. 29: a crowded week for rates' · gov.house
Newsquawk, 'Week in Focus 26-30th October 2026: FOMC, BoC, RBNZ, ECB, BoJ Policy Decisions, US PCE' · newsquawk.com
Bloomberg via The Economic Times, 'Asian shares slip as AI jitters deepen ahead of big tech earnings', 26 October 2026 · m.economictimes.com