As traders approach another pivotal day for financial markets, a series of crucial economic indicators and policy insights are expected on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The day will feature significant releases including January building permits and housing starts data, durable goods orders, and the highly anticipated Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes. These releases will provide valuable insights into housing market health, manufacturing activity, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy deliberations, potentially moving markets across various sectors.
Major Economic Events to Watch
- 8:30 AM ET - Building Permits (Jan): Expected at 1.400M versus previous 1.411M. This key housing market indicator measures new building permit issuance, reflecting demand trends in residential construction.
- 8:30 AM ET - Durable Goods Orders (Jan): Forecast at -1.7% compared to previous 5.3%. This report measures changes in orders for manufactured goods designed to last at least three years, providing insight into manufacturing sector health.
- 2:00 PM ET - FOMC Meeting Minutes: The detailed record of the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting will offer insights into committee members' views on monetary policy direction, inflation concerns, and economic outlook.
Other Important Economic Events to Watch
- 8:30 AM ET - Core Durable Goods Orders (Jan): Expected at 0.3% versus previous 0.4%. This measure excludes volatile transportation items, providing a clearer picture of underlying manufacturing trends.
- 8:30 AM ET - Housing Starts (Jan): Forecast at 1.310M compared to previous 1.246M. This indicator tracks the number of new residential construction projects beginning, signaling housing sector strength.
- 8:30 AM ET - Building Permits (MoM) (Jan): Expected at -0.2% versus previous -0.3%. The month-over-month change in building permit issuance provides insight into near-term construction activity.
- 8:30 AM ET - Housing Starts (MoM) (Jan): Previous reading was -4.6%. This measures the monthly change in new residential construction starts.
- 9:15 AM ET - Industrial Production (MoM) (Jan): Forecast at 0.4%, matching the previous month. This indicator measures changes in output from manufacturers, mines, and utilities.
- 9:15 AM ET - Industrial Production (YoY) (Jan): Previous reading was 1.99%. The year-over-year measure shows longer-term trends in industrial output.
- 11:00 AM ET - Atlanta Fed GDPNow (Q1): Expected at 3.7%, unchanged from previous. This model provides a running estimate of real GDP growth based on available economic data.
- 1:00 PM ET - 20-Year Bond Auction: Previous yield was 4.846%. This Treasury auction will indicate investor demand for longer-term government debt.
- 1:00 PM ET - FOMC Member Bowman Speaks: Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman's remarks may offer clues about future monetary policy direction.
- 4:00 PM ET - TIC Net Long-Term Transactions (Dec): Previous reading was 220.2B. This measures foreign investment flows into U.S. long-term securities.
- 4:30 PM ET - API Weekly Crude Stock (Feb 14): Previous reading showed a build of 13.400M barrels. This private sector report provides an early look at U.S. oil inventory levels.
Other Economic Events to Watch
- 7:00 AM ET - MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate (Feb 14): Previous rate was 6.21%. This tracks average mortgage rates, indicating housing affordability.
- 7:00 AM ET - MBA Mortgage Applications (Feb 14): Previous reading was -0.3%. This measures weekly changes in mortgage application volume.
- 7:00 AM ET - MBA Mortgage Market Index (Feb 14): Previous reading was 329.9. This index covers all mortgage applications during the week.
- 7:00 AM ET - MBA Purchase Index (Feb 14): Previous reading was 161.5. This tracks applications specifically for home purchases.
- 7:00 AM ET - Mortgage Refinance Index (Feb 14): Previous reading was 1,284.6. This measures applications to refinance existing mortgages.
- 8:30 AM ET - Durables Excluding Transport (Jan): Expected at 0.3% versus previous 0.4%. This measures durable goods orders excluding transportation equipment.
- 8:30 AM ET - Durables Excluding Defense (Jan): Previous reading was 6.5%. This tracks durable goods orders excluding defense-related items.
- 8:30 AM ET - Goods Orders Non Defense Ex Air (Jan): Forecast at 0.5% compared to previous 0.4%. This core capital goods measure is a key indicator of business investment.
- 8:55 AM ET - Redbook (YoY) (Feb 14): Previous reading was 6.5%. This tracks year-over-year same-store sales growth at large U.S. retailers.
- 9:15 AM ET - Capacity Utilization Rate (Jan): Expected at 76.5% versus previous 76.3%. This measures the percentage of production capacity being utilized.
- 9:15 AM ET - Manufacturing Output (Jan): Forecast at 0.4% compared to previous 0.2%. This tracks changes in manufacturing production.
- 4:00 PM ET - Foreign Buying, T-bonds (Dec): Previous reading was 85.60B; this measures foreign purchases of U.S. Treasury bonds.
- 4:00 PM ET - Overall Net Capital Flow (Dec): Previous reading was 212.00B; this tracks overall flow of capital into/out of U.S.
- 4:00 PM ET - TIC Net Long-Term Transactions including Swaps (Dec): Forecast at 128.60B versus previous 220.20B; this measures international capital flows including swap transactions.