Skip to content

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Look Ahead 26/10/23: ECB rates; US growth

The main event on both sides of the Atlantic is the ECB interest-rate decision. No change is expected but the potential for some hawkish rhetoric has recently risen with the uplift in the price of oil following Middle East .

Source: IG

(Video Transcript Summary)

Inflation worries: how EUR, USD will react

On Thursday 26 October 2023, a number of important things are happening that could affect trading in the UK and the US. In the UK, there's a trade survey coming out that'll give us some insight into the country's trade activity.

In Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) is going to announce their interest rate decision, but it's expected that they won't change the rates.

What we'll really be paying attention to is what they say about inflation, because it's been higher than they want it to be. This could affect how the euro and the US dollar are traded, and the value of the euro against the US dollar.

US Q3 growth rate due

In the US, people will be focused on something called the third-quarter growth rate. Basically, this tells us how well the economy has been doing in the past few months. This will be the first time we get to see these numbers, and it's happening right after the ECB announces their interest rate decision.

So there will be some interesting opportunities to trade the euro against the US dollar during those 15 to 30 minutes. Right now, the euro's doing pretty well and showing signs of strength, but there are some uncertain factors like the ECB's view on interest rates and not-so-great economic data from Germany.

Unilever's surprising rebound: what's next?

As for companies, Unilever is going to release a statement that tells us how they've been doing. Their stock has been bouncing back and it might stay within a certain range. But, there's also a pattern forming that could lead to a decline in the stock's value if it breaks a certain level.

Other European companies reporting earnings include Volkswagen, BNP Paribas, TotalEnergies and Porsche. In the US, the big companies reporting earnings include Ford Motor, Caterpillar, Intel, Amazon and maybe even Manchester United.

Ford Motor has been struggling because people don't have as much money to spend on new cars. And there are also trading opportunities to watch out for with Intel and Amazon's earnings reports.

So, 26 October is going to be a super busy day with all these economic events and earnings reports affecting the currency and stock markets in the UK and the US. It's definitely a day to keep an eye on if you're into trading.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Start trading forex today

Find opportunity on the world’s most-traded – and most-volatile – financial market.

  • Trade spreads from just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
  • Analyse with clear, fast charts
  • Speculate wherever you are with our intuitive mobile apps

See an FX opportunity?

Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re onto something.

  • Log in to your demo
  • Take your position
  • See whether your hunch pays off

See an FX opportunity?

Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.

  • Get spreads from just 0.6 points on popular pairs
  • Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
  • See and react to breaking news in-platform

See an FX opportunity?

Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Equities
  • Indices
  • Forex
  • Commodities


Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Sunday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.


For more info on how we might use your data, see our privacy notice and access policy and privacy webpage.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of spread betting and CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.