Introduction#

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, traders will be closely watching several important economic reports that could influence market movements. These reports will provide insights into the housing market, labor conditions, and manufacturing activity in the U.S.

Major Economic Events to Watch#

  • 7:30 AM ET - Initial Jobless Claims: Expected to be 215,000, slightly up from 213,000. This report measures the number of people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time, serving as an early indicator of job market health.
  • 7:30 AM ET - Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index: Anticipated to drop to 8.3 from 16.3. This index gauges the overall business conditions among manufacturers in the Philadelphia area, providing insights into regional economic activity.
  • 8:00 AM ET - Building Permits: Expected to decrease to 1.376 million from 1.455 million. This figure reflects the number of new permits issued for construction, indicating demand in the housing market.
  • 9:00 AM ET - New Home Sales: Projected to fall to 722,000 from 745,000. This report measures the annualized number of new single-family homes sold in the previous month, offering a snapshot of the housing market's health.

Additional Economic Indicators#

  • Continuing Jobless Claims: Expected to remain steady at 1.85 million. This figure represents the number of individuals continuing to receive unemployment benefits.
  • Philly Fed Employment: Previous reading was -1.3, indicating a contraction in employment conditions in the region.
  • Atlanta Fed GDPNow: Expected to hold at 2.7%. This is a real-time estimate of GDP growth based on current economic data.

Conclusion#

These economic indicators will provide valuable information for traders and investors, helping them gauge the health of the U.S. economy and make informed decisions.