Today on market

Short description: Thursday, 29 October, brings a concentrated series of economic releases, central-bank decisions and corporate earnings that could influence global markets. The European Central Bank’s policy announcement, US GDP and inflation data, and results from Amazon and Intel put interest rates, economic growth and artificial-intelligence spending at the centre of the day’s trading.

◉ ECB decision at 14:15 CET: Investors will assess the interest-rate decision and the central bank’s assessment of inflation and euro-area growth.

◉ US data at 13:30 CET: Third-quarter GDP, September PCE inflation and weekly jobless claims arrive together, potentially influencing Treasury yields, the dollar, gold and equities.

◉ Big Tech earnings after the US close: Amazon and Intel results will provide further evidence of consumer demand, cloud growth and the financial outlook for AI infrastructure.

A Critical Day for Interest Rates

Markets enter Thursday with monetary policy still in focus after the Federal Reserve’s October meeting. Attention now shifts to Frankfurt, where the European Central Bank is scheduled to announce its latest decision at 14:15 CET, followed by President Christine Lagarde’s press conference at 14:45 CET. European Central Bank

The decision matters beyond the euro area. Changes in the ECB’s policy outlook can influence the euro, European government bonds and relative valuations across global markets. Investors will also assess how policymakers balance inflation risks against the region’s growth outlook.

The accompanying press conference may be just as important as the rate announcement. Markets will look for signals about the likely direction of policy, the persistence of inflation and the Governing Council’s assessment of economic conditions.

The central question is whether the ECB’s communication reinforces existing expectations or prompts investors to reconsider the timing and scale of future rate changes.

US GDP and Inflation at 13:30 CET

The US economic releases are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, equivalent to 13:30 in Slovenia on 29 October. The distinction is important: the published 14:30 CET time in the supplied calendar appears to be incorrect for this date.

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis has scheduled the advance estimate of third-quarter GDP and September personal income and outlays for Thursday. The latter report includes the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, a key inflation measure monitored by the Federal Reserve. Weekly jobless claims are also scheduled for the same time. Bureau of Economic Analysis

The releases could move markets through several channels:

GDP: A stronger or weaker growth reading could change expectations for the US economy and corporate earnings.
PCE inflation: A higher-than-expected reading could reinforce concerns that interest rates may remain restrictive for longer.
Jobless claims: Changes in claims could influence perceptions of labour-market resilience and the Fed’s policy outlook.

Treasury yields will be an important transmission mechanism. If the data strengthen expectations of tighter monetary policy, yields and the US dollar could rise, potentially affecting equity valuations and gold. Weaker data could have the opposite effect, although the market response will depend on the balance between growth and inflation signals.

Amazon and Intel After the Close

Corporate earnings provide a second major catalyst. Both Amazon and Intel have scheduled third-quarter 2026 earnings events for Thursday after the US market closes. US Press Center

For Amazon, investors will focus on cloud growth, operating profitability and the cost of expanding AI-related infrastructure. For Intel, attention will centre on demand for processors, manufacturing execution, margins and the company’s competitive position in the semiconductor market.

These reports arrive as investors increasingly distinguish between companies that are investing heavily in AI and those that are converting that investment into measurable cash flow and profits.

The results could influence sentiment across the Nasdaq, cloud-computing companies, chipmakers and other firms linked to AI infrastructure. Guidance may matter as much as reported quarterly figures, particularly if management teams signal changes in capital expenditure or demand.

Oil and Geopolitical Risks

Energy markets remain another source of potential volatility. Changes in crude prices can influence inflation expectations, energy-sector earnings and the outlook for interest rates.

Geopolitical developments affecting major producing regions or shipping routes could introduce additional uncertainty into oil supply expectations. A sustained increase in Brent or WTI prices could complicate the inflation outlook, while falling prices could ease some cost pressures.

For investors, the interaction between energy prices, bond yields and currency movements will be important throughout the session.

Market Calendar — Slovenia Time

Slovenia time (CET)	Event	Key markets
Morning	European sentiment and regional inflation data; verify individual release schedules	EUR, European equities, bonds
13:30	US GDP, PCE inflation and jobless claims	USD, Treasury yields, gold, equities, crypto
14:15	ECB interest-rate decision	EUR, European bonds, equities
14:45	Christine Lagarde’s press conference	EUR, European bonds, equities
After US market close	Amazon and Intel earnings	Nasdaq, AI stocks, semiconductors
Throughout the day	Oil and geopolitical developments	Brent, WTI, energy stocks

Timing clarification: US economic releases are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, equivalent to 13:30 CET on 29 October 2026. Always confirm the latest official schedule before publication.