As traders approach another pivotal day for financial markets, Thursday, April 17, 2025, brings a series of crucial economic data releases that could sway market dynamics. Building permits, initial jobless claims, and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index are among the key reports expected to provide insights into the health of the U.S. economy and potentially influence Federal Reserve policy decisions.

Major Economic Events to Watch

• 8:30 AM ET: Building Permits (Mar) - Forecast: 1.450M, Previous: 1.459M. A key indicator of housing market demand.

• 8:30 AM ET: Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (Apr) - Forecast: 2.8, Previous: 12.5. Measures business conditions in the Philadelphia area.

• 8:30 AM ET: Initial Jobless Claims - Forecast: 225K, Previous: 223K. Indicates the number of new unemployment insurance claims.

Other Important Economic Events to Watch

• 8:30 AM ET: Housing Starts (Mar) - Forecast: 1.420M, Previous: 1.501M. Measures new residential construction activity.

• 8:30 AM ET: Continuing Jobless Claims - Forecast: 1,870K, Previous: 1,850K. Shows ongoing unemployment insurance claims.

• 10:30 AM ET: Atlanta Fed GDPNow (Q2) - Forecast: -2.2%, Previous: -2.2%. Provides a real-time estimate of GDP growth.

• 11:45 AM ET: Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Barr Speaks. May offer insights into banking regulation and monetary policy.

• 1:00 PM ET: Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR ) U.S. Rig Count. An indicator of oil industry activity and demand.

• 1:00 PM ET: 5-Year TIP Auction - Previous: 2.121%. Treasury inflation-protected securities auction results.

Other Economic Events to Watch

• 8:30 AM ET: Philly Fed Business Conditions - Previous: 5.6. Component of the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index.

• 8:30 AM ET: Philly Fed New Orders - Previous: 8.7. Indicates new order activity in the Philadelphia region.

• 8:30 AM ET: Philly Fed Prices Paid - Previous: 48.30. Measures input costs for manufacturers.

• 8:30 AM ET: Philly Fed Capex Index - Previous: 13.40. Indicates capital expenditure plans.

• 8:30 AM ET: Jobless Claims 4-Week Avg. - Previous: 223.00K. Smooths weekly jobless claims data.

• 10:30 AM ET: Natural Gas Storage - Forecast: 27B, Previous: 57B. Measures changes in natural gas inventories.

• 11:30 AM ET: 4-Week Bill Auction - Previous: 4.245%. Short-term government debt auction.

• 11:30 AM ET: 8-Week Bill Auction - Previous: 4.235%. Another short-term government debt auction.

For further information and the latest updates, please refer to our Economic Calendar, here .

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