A late-summer week with Spain front and centre: the Vuelta a España enters Spanish roads, wildfire recovery decisions are expected in Madrid, and fresh inflation signals arrive on Friday. The UK weighs an energy price cap change and festival crowds, while Europe gathers for ministerials in Copenhagen and football fans await the Champions League draw. Globally, Washington, Tehran and Beijing shape the risk calendar.
Spain: Policy, Prices and La Vuelta on Home Roads
Spain’s institutional focus returns on Tuesday 26 August, with the Government expected to constitute an inter-ministerial commission on the climate emergency and declare civil-protection emergency zones for fire-hit regions after this month’s blazes.
On Friday 29 August, the flash CPI for August lands, offering a first read-out on price pressures heading into autumn. Markets and policymakers will watch underlying components closely.
All eyes also turn to the Vuelta a España, which enters Spain mid-week: a team time trial in Figueres on Wednesday (Stage 5), Olot–Pal Andorra on Thursday (Stage 6), then two Spanish showcase days—Andorra la Vella–Cerler, Huesca (Friday, Stage 7) and Monzón–Zaragoza (Saturday, Stage 8)—before Alfaro–Valdezcaray (Sunday, Stage 9). Expect road closures and regional fan surges across Catalonia, Aragón and La Rioja.
United Kingdom: Price Cap Signal, Carnival Crowds and Cup Draws
Monday 25 August is the Summer Bank Holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the Notting Hill Carnival parade anchoring London’s events.
On Wednesday 27 August, Ofgem is scheduled to announce the October–December energy price cap, a quarterly update that will shape household bills from 1 October.
Football business follows on Thursday 28 August with the UEFA Champions League draw for the new league-phase season, while domestic Carabao Cup second-round ties continue through the week.
Corporate earnings that can move UK-exposed tech and retail indices include Nvidia (Wednesday) and a clutch of US and European retailers later in the week. Nvidia’s results on AI demand often ripple across London-listed suppliers.
Europe: Copenhagen Ministerials and a Franco-German Reset
Denmark hosts back-to-back informal EU ministerials in Copenhagen: Defence Ministers (28–29 August) and Foreign Ministers (29–30 August), with Ukraine security support, industry cooperation and sanctions calibration on the table.
On Friday 29 August, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz are slated to co-chair a Franco-German Council of Ministers, part of an August push to reboot the bilateral engine on defence and trade.
Macro watchers also track OECD quarterly national accounts (Wednesday) and US PCE inflation (Friday) for spill-overs into European risk assets.
Rest of the World: Washington, Trade and Summits
Monday 25 August: Donald Trump hosts South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung in Washington.
Wednesday 27 August: Additional US tariffs on Indian goods take effect.
Friday 29 August: US duties on low-value imports are due to be implemented.
Sunday 31 August: An E3 deadline for Iran on JCPOA “snapback” sanctions looms, while China hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among expected attendees.
Aviation and Travel
- Spain–UK leisure routes: late-August demand and crew scheduling continue to press punctuality; passengers are advised to allow extra time and monitor airline updates.
- Vuelta road closures: Friday to Sunday closures in Huesca, Zaragoza and La Rioja corridors for race operations.
Positive Close
From Cerler’s high-mountain finish to Zaragoza’s sprint boulevard and Valdezcaray’s ski-station finale, the Vuelta’s first Spanish stages deliver a national summer showcase—uniting towns, volunteers and roadside fans in a celebration of sport and community at the height of the holidays.