Loading page content
Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
United StatesUS Average Weekly Hours climbed to 34.4 in August 2026
FMPWeeklyReleased September 2026
US Average Weekly Hours climbed to 34.4 in August 2026, released September 2026, up 0.1 from July's 34.3 reading. The reading matched the 34.3 consensus. Over the past 3 months, Average Weekly Hours averaged 34.3, vs 34.27 in the prior 3-month window. Average Weekly Hours is now the highest in 38 months.
Latest Release
34.4
Actual
34.3
Consensus
34.3
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±0.07
across last 12 releases
Last Call
Sep 2026
Predicted: 34.3
Actual: 34.4
Error: -0.1
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Co-movement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSFT | ▼ Inverse | −0.58 | STOCKS | Moves against | → View |
| GOOGL | ▼ Inverse | −0.51 | STOCKS | Moves against | → View |
| AUD/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.46 | FOREX | Moves with | → View |
| NZD/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.44 | FOREX | Moves with | → View |
| USD/JPY | ▼ Inverse | −0.40 | FOREX | Moves against | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Average Weekly Hours (United States) was reported at 34.40 in September 2026. This beat the market consensus of 34.30 by 0.10. The reading rose from the previous value of 34.30. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through September 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 34.28, ranging from 34.20 to 34.40 across 9 releases.
WHY IT MATTERS
The trailing three releases averaged 34.33, up from the prior three at 34.30. Volatility over the past year (σ 0.06) is lower than the prior year (σ 0.08). In September readings over the past 3 years, Average Weekly Hours has averaged 34.30.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is negatively correlated with MSFT (Bearish MSFT). A secondary relationship exists with GOOGL, negatively correlated (Bearish GOOGL). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 0.07.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next release is scheduled for October 2, 2026. Same-country events in the next 14 days include NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (Sep 15) and NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (Sep 15).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update September 2026.
SHARE
Average Weekly Hours - US
Loading chart data...
About Average Weekly Hours — United States
DEFINITION
Average Weekly Hours is a financial indicator that measures the average number of hours worked by employees in a given week. It is often used as a key metric for analyzing labor market trends and productivity levels. This indicator provides valuable insights into the health of the economy and can be used by businesses and policymakers to make informed decisions about workforce management and economic policies.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
This release contributes to the broader macro picture used by cross-asset investors for positioning and risk management. Surprises against consensus can drive short-term moves, particularly when the print breaks an established trend. Released weekly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (Aug 2026): actual 34.4, consensus 34.3. Prior reading (Jul 2026): 34.3. Before that (Jun 2026): 34.3.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a similar reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bullish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary tailwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with MSFT (Bearish MSFT, r=-0.58) — a useful reference for stocks-focused traders.
Σ
EXPECTED ZONE
SIGMANOMICS MARKET FORECAST ENGINE
Multi-horizon symbol forecasts, Rolling-Surprise economic predictions, and programmatic API access.
Expected Zones · Trade Bias · Confidence Intervals · API Access · 1,456+ instruments
FOREXCRYPTOSTOCKSCOMMODITIESINDICESAPI
BLSBEAFMPWORLD BANKFRED
1,456+ instruments247 indicators530+ correlationsREST + GQL API
4,151 economic indicators127 countries covered6 data sources
FREDBLSEIAECBBOJFMP
Economic Calendar - US Events
| Monday, September 14, 2026 | Actual | Previous | Consensus | Sigmanomics Rolling-Surprise Forecast | Impact | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15:30 | US | 3-Month Bill Auction | 3.8 | 3.809 | 3.81 | Low | |
| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Actual | Previous | Consensus | Sigmanomics Rolling-Surprise Forecast | Impact | ||
| 12:30 | US | NY Empire State Manufacturing Index | 20.6 | 15 | 10.85 | High | |
| Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | Actual | Previous | Consensus | Sigmanomics Rolling-Surprise Forecast | Impact | ||
| 12:30 | US | Retail Sales MoM | -0.6 | 0.9 | 0.90 | High | |
| 12:30 | US | Retail Sales Ex Autos MoM | -0.3 | 0.5 | 0.50 | High | |
| 12:30 | US | Import Prices YoY | 5.9 | 6 | 6.35 | Low | |
| 12:30 | US | Retail Sales Ex Gas/Autos MoM | -0.2 | 0.1 | 0.10 | High | |
| 12:30 | US | Retail Sales YoY | 5 | 4.3 | 4.30 | High | |
| 12:30 | US | Export Prices MoM | -1.3 | -0.5 | -0.45 | Medium | |
| 12:30 | US | Import Prices MoM | -0.4 | 0.2 | 0.65 | Medium | |
| 12:30 | US | Export Prices YoY | 8.2 | 7.5 | 7.90 | Low | |
| 14:00 | US | Business Inventories MoM | 0 | 0.2 | 0.20 | Medium | |
| 14:00 | US | NAHB Housing Market Index | 35 | 34 | 33.50 | Medium | |
| 18:00 | US | Fed Interest Rate Decision | 3.75 | 4 | 4.00 | High | |
| 20:00 | US | Net Long-Term TIC Flows | 172.7 | 146.3 | 146.30 | Medium | |