Investing.com - In the week ahead, market players will be turning their attention to Friday’s revised data on U.S. fourth quarter gross domestic product for a fresh reading on the strength of the economy.
Reports on U.S. durable goods orders and consumer confidence will also be in focus, as investors attempt to gauge if the world's largest economy is strong enough to withstand further rate hikes in 2016.
Meanwhile, traders will be looking to Monday’s survey data on euro zone business activity for indications on the health of the region’s economy.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of the five biggest events on the economic calendar that are most likely to affect the markets.
1. Revised U.S. fourth quarter growth
The U.S. is to release revised figures on fourth quarter economic growth at 13:30GMT, or 8:30AM, Friday. The data is expected to show that the economy expanded by a modest 0.4% in the final three months of last year, downwardly revised from a preliminary estimate of 0.7% and slowing from growth of 2.0% in the third quarter.
2. U.S. durable goods orders for January
The U.S. is to produce data on January durable goods orders at 13:30GMT, or 8:30AM ET, on Thursday. The report is expected to show that orders for durable goods jumped 2.9% last month, following a drop of 5.0% in December, while core orders are forecast to inch up 0.2% after falling 1.0% a month earlier.
3. U.S. January consumer confidence
The Conference Board, a market research group, is to publish data on January consumer confidence at 15:00GMT, or 10:00AM ET, on Tuesday, with market players expecting the index to fall to 97.3 from 98.1 a month earlier.
4. Flash euro zone PMIs for January
The euro zone is to publish preliminary data on manufacturing and service sector activity for January at 9:00GMT, or 4:00AM ET, amid expectations for a modest decline.
Ahead of the euro zone PMI's, France and Germany will release their own PMI reports at 8:00GMT and 8:30GMT respectively.
Meanwhile, the Ifo research institute will publish a report on German business sentiment at 9:00GMT on Tuesday.
5. U.K. Q4 GDP - second estimate
The Office for National Statistics is to produce revised data on U.K. economic growth for the fourth quarter at 9:30GMT, or 4:30AM ET, on Thursday. The report is forecast to reveal the economy grew 0.5% in the three months ended December 31, unchanged from a preliminary estimate.
Stay up-to-date on all of this week's economic events by visiting: http://www.investing.com/economic-calendar/