US consumer sentiment figures for early October are due at 10 am ET from the highly-respected University of Michigan survey, partner to the Conference Board report due at the end of the month. With the blackout on official economic data continuing, markets are ravenous for visibility on the economy. The consumer sentiment report, with its long history and credibility with investors and the Federal Reserve, is huge in the circumstances.

The Econoday consensus looks for the consumer sentiment index to tick down to 54.0 in today's preliminary October report from 55.1 in the September final. That is down a lot from 70.5 in October 2024, a dramatic drop in sentiment, not a good sign in a consumption-driven economy. Consumers have been fretting in particular over tariff-driven inflation and a weakening employment market, and there is no sign of improvement in either.

Market Focus details key factors in the coming day that will impact the economic outlook and the financial markets. These include central bank events, economic indicators, policymaker speeches as well as expected political and corporate developments.

Keeping up-to-date with event schedules and the economic calendar is key to understanding the global financial system. Econoday's Market Focus allows investors and policymakers to carefully track what will be making news and moving the financial markets in the coming day.