The Week Ahead: August 17–23, 2025

Every week the financial markets move on the back of central bank decisions, inflation reports, and global events. For professional athletes, agents, and anyone managing money across borders, these moves can have a direct impact on earnings, contracts, and property purchases. Here’s what to watch this week — and how to protect yourself.

Key Events on the Calendar

Tuesday (Aug 19) – Canadian Inflation Data
Canada kicks off the week with CPI figures. Inflation running hotter or cooler than expected often drives big moves in CAD. If you’re a Canadian player or moving money into/out of Canada, be aware of potential volatility.

Wednesday (Aug 20) – New Zealand Central Bank Decisions
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) sets rates and delivers its policy outlook. The NZD can swing sharply on these announcements. Athletes with contracts in New Zealand or transfers involving NZD should keep a close eye here.

Thursday (Aug 21) – European & UK Flash PMIs + US Data
A packed day with manufacturing and services PMIs from France, Germany, the UK, and the US. These early snapshots of economic strength (or weakness) often move EUR and GBP. The US also releases unemployment claims and housing data — critical for USD trends.
This is a day where volatility could spike across multiple major pairs.

Friday (Aug 22) – UK & Canadian Retail Sales + Powell at Jackson Hole
Retail sales reports for the UK and Canada provide fresh direction for GBP and CAD. Later, all eyes turn to the Jackson Hole Symposium, where Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks. His words often set the tone for USD in the weeks ahead.

Saturday (Aug 23) – Central Bank Speeches (EUR, GBP)
The weekend closes with ECB President Christine Lagarde and BOE Governor Andrew Bailey speaking. These comments can influence EUR and GBP heading into next week’s open.

Why This Matters for Athletes & Agents

Currency movements don’t just affect banks or traders — they directly impact your bottom line.

• A 1–2% swing in GBP/USD can mean six figures gained or lost on a transfer fee.

• Prize money in EUR or USD can shrink by thousands when converted at the wrong time.

• Property purchases staged over 12–24 months can be heavily exposed to shifting rates.

These aren’t abstract risks — they are real-world numbers that can make a huge difference to your career earnings.

How to Protect Yourself

At SportsFX, we specialise in strategies that remove the guesswork:

• Forward Contracts: Lock in today’s exchange rate for future payments, protecting your earnings.

• Limit Orders: Target your ideal rate and let us secure it when the market moves in your favour.

• Market Insight: Weekly updates and one-to-one advice tailored to your situation.

The key is planning ahead. Rather than leaving transfers to chance, we help you build a strategy so currency volatility works for you, not against you.

Final Word

This week’s calendar is full of potential market movers. From Canadian CPI to Powell’s Jackson Hole speech, every announcement has the power to shift exchange rates. For athletes, agents, and anyone moving money internationally, being proactive is the difference between protecting your wealth and watching it slip away.

Earn Big. Transfer Smart. Protect Your Future.
If you or your clients are making international transfers, now is the time to plan.

Book a call with SportsFX and let’s protect your earnings.