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What is the economic calendar?
Economic calendar, also known as Forex economic calendar or FX Calendar, is a tool that allows traders to make the fundamental analysis of financial markets based on economic news. That is – you will be able to see macroeconomic events that move the market and make Forex trading decisions based on the data.
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What data is included in the economic calendar?
The economic calendar includes information about major economic events, as well as political news and the impact they have on the Forex market. All these financial events are used as economic indicators.
The economic events calendar also shows the time and date of when the indicator data was released, the currency that they are expected to affect, and each indicator's impact level. Most indicators have numerical values, which may be expressed as a percentage or as a currency value. They reflect the impact the particular indicator had or is going to have, either positive or negative.
Our forex economic calendar has three columns to show the value of economic indicators: Previous, Forecast, and Actual:
- Previous shows the value the indicator had in the previous period (usually, one month or one year);
- Forecast shows the estimated value of the indicator based on a survey of 20-240 economists;
- Actual is the value published by an official source like a national statistics agency or an analytical center.
We also provide additional information about the specific indicators and the graphs showing changes in value by month or year – click the indicator you're interested in to learn more.
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How to read the economic calendar?
Sometimes the number of current economic events can be overwhelming. So, first of all, make sure to use filters to see the most relevant indicators for your Forex trading. For example, you can choose currencies that you are planning on trading or the indicator impact.
At the top of our Forex trading calendar, choose the most convenient time zone.
Use numeric values of the indicators to navigate market changes. This is why forecasts and actual release figures are essential. Compare the numbers: if the Actual value is bigger than the forecast, this is good for the currency and it is likely to go up in price; if the Actual value is lower than the Forecast, it is likely to drop.
You can apply similar logic to the Previous and Forecast values before the actual data is released, but be careful – forecasts are always preliminary and actual figures might be drastically different.
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What economic indicators are there?
Economic indicators are major economic events that are used to interpret investment opportunities in Forex trading. They usually are macroeconomic events that affect currencies and stock prices.
The indicators can be leading (predict upcoming changes), coincident (show the current economic state of the particular area) and lagging (confirm patterns and trends).
Top economic indicators:
- The US Treasury Yield Curve – shows the ratio between short-term Treasury bills and long-term Treasury bonds. This indicator successfully predicted eight major recessions of the past years.
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product) – one of the most critical metrics of the economy's health. It is a lagging indicator, so it shows what has already happened, but can be a great marker of an upcoming recession.
- Unemployment Rate – this is a percentage of people seeking jobs and will indicate how healthy the labor force and, thus, the economy really is.
- Interest Rates – another lagging indicator that shows economic growth. It can affect GDP and inflation, so be aware of this one.
These are some of the few important indicators. Make sure to follow our daily trading plans from FBS analysts to learn more about the current trading news events and how they will affect your Forex trading.
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How to trade the news?
The financial events are typically scheduled ahead of time. There are usually predictions ahead of the release (Forecast column in our Forex news calendar) of how it will affect the market. Some traders choose to open positions depending on their expectations of economic indicator reports: if they expect a particular indicator to move the currency up, they buy it and vice versa. Other traders dislike rapid price movements that may happen when indicators are released, so they steer clear of using the FX calendar and trading the news.
There are many news trading strategies: you have to use the one you find best suited for your trading style. FBS, apart from providing all the necessary services for trading, also have all the vital information for any trader's needs. Check out our news section to be aware of possible market movements.
Even if you are not one to trade the news, you should still check the trading economic calendar or read about current economic events regularly because they are likely to affect market volatility.
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Is the economic calendar updated in real-time?
Our major economic events calendar is updated automatically as the reports come out. FBS is there to offer timely updates to the economic calendar, but we cannot be held accountable for any delays due to the immoderate flow of trading news events.
Economic Calendar
List of important economic releases
Time
Impact
Currency
Event
Previous
Forecast
Actual
May 07, 2024
07:00
CHF
Foreign Exchange Reserves
{previous}
CHF715.132B
{forecast}
{actual}
In Switzerland, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.
07:30
EUR
HCOB Construction PMI
{previous}
41
{forecast}
{actual}
Data are collected at mid-month, asking respondents to compare a variety of business conditions with the situation one month ago. A reading of below 50.0 indicates that the economy is generally declining, above 50.0 that it is generally expanding and exactly 50.0 indicates no change on the level recorded the previous month.
07:30
EUR
HCOB Construction PMI
{previous}
38.3
{forecast}
{actual}
The Germany Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® is based on original survey data collected from a representative panel of over 200 companies based in the German construction sector. Data are collected at mid-month, asking respondents to compare a variety of construction conditions with the situation one month ago. A reading of below 50.0 indicates that the construction activity is generally declining, above 50.0 that it is generally expanding and exactly 50.0 indicates no change on the level recorded the previous month.
07:30
EUR
HCOB Construction PMI
{previous}
42.4
{forecast}
{actual}
Data are collected at mid-month, asking respondents to compare a variety of business conditions with the situation one month ago. A reading of below 50.0 indicates that the economy is generally declining, above 50.0 that it is generally expanding and exactly 50.0 indicates no change on the level recorded the previous month.
08:00
GBP
New Car Sales YoY
{previous}
10.4%
{forecast}
{actual}
08:00
CNY
Foreign Exchange Reserves
{previous}
$3.246T
{forecast}
$3.23T
{actual}
In China, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.
08:30
GBP
S&P Global/CIPS Construction PMI
{previous}
{forecast}
{actual}
In the United Kingdom, the Markit / Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Purchasing Managers Index measures the performance of the construction sector and is derived from a survey of 170 construction companies.
08:30
GBP
S&P Global Construction PMI
{previous}
50.2
{forecast}
50.4
{actual}
In the United Kingdom, the Markit / Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Purchasing Managers Index measures the performance of the construction sector and is derived from a survey of 170 construction companies.
09:00
EUR
Retail Sales MoM
{previous}
-0.5%
{forecast}
0.6%
{actual}
In the Euro Area, retail sales show the evolution of the total amount of goods sold. Among them, food drinks and tobacco account for the highest share (39.3 percent); followed by electrical goods and furniture (12.0 percent share); computer equipment books and other (11.4 percent share); pharmaceutical and medical goods (9.9 percent share); textiles, clothing, footwear (9.2 percent share); auto fuel (9.1 percent share); other non-food products (6.0 percent share) and mail orders and internet (2.9 percent share). Among countries, Germany has the highest weight (25.9 percent), followed by France (21.7 percent), Italy (16.1 percent) and Spain (11.4 percent). Others are Netherlands (5.2 percent); Belgium (4.3 percent); Greece (3.0 percent); Austria (2.8 percent); Portugal (2.4 percent); Finland (1.8 percent); Ireland (1.7 percent); Luxembourg and Slovakia (0.8 percent each); Slovenia (0.6 percent); Lithuania (0.4 percent); Latvia and Cyprus (0.3 percent); Estonia (0.2 percent) and Malta (0.1 percent).
09:00
SGD
Foreign Exchange Reserves
{previous}
S$497.3B
{forecast}
{actual}
In Singapore, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.
09:00
EUR
Retail Sales YoY
{previous}
-0.7%
{forecast}
{actual}
In the Euro Area, retail sales show the evolution of the total amount of goods sold. Among them, food drinks and tobacco account for the highest share (39.3 percent); followed by electrical goods and furniture (12.0 percent share); computer equipment books and other (11.4 percent share); pharmaceutical and medical goods (9.9 percent share); textiles, clothing, footwear (9.2 percent share); auto fuel (9.1 percent share); other non-food products (6.0 percent share) and mail orders and internet (2.9 percent share). Among countries, Germany has the highest weight (25.9 percent), followed by France (21.7 percent), Italy (16.1 percent) and Spain (11.4 percent). Others are Netherlands (5.2 percent); Belgium (4.3 percent); Greece (3.0 percent); Austria (2.8 percent); Portugal (2.4 percent); Finland (1.8 percent); Ireland (1.7 percent); Luxembourg and Slovakia (0.8 percent each); Slovenia (0.6 percent); Lithuania (0.4 percent); Latvia and Cyprus (0.3 percent); Estonia (0.2 percent) and Malta (0.1 percent).
12:00
MXN
Consumer Confidence
{previous}
47.3
{forecast}
{actual}
In Mexico, the Consumer Confidence Index (ICC) measures the current perception and future expectations that people have about their economic situation, their family and the country in general, in respect to the purchase of consumption durables and non-durables, as well as employment, inflation and savings. The index is based on a sample of 2336 households located in the 32 major cities of the country. The ICC has a base of 100 as of January of 2003, levels above 100 indicate optimism, 100 neutrality and below 100 pessimism.
12:00
MXN
Auto Exports YoY
{previous}
4.9%
{forecast}
{actual}
In Mexico, auto exports refers to total exports of vehicles.
12:00
MXN
Auto Production YoY
{previous}
-12.8%
{forecast}
{actual}
In Mexico, Car Production refers to total production of vehicles.
12:30
GBP
BoE Hall Speech
{previous}
{forecast}
{actual}
In the United Kingdom, benchmark interest rate is set by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The Bank of England official interest rate is the repo rate. This repo rate applies to open market operations of the Bank of England with a group of counterparties (banks, building societies, securities firms).
12:55
USD
Redbook YoY
{previous}
5.5%
{forecast}
{actual}
The Johnson Redbook Index is a sales-weighted of year-over-year same-store sales growth in a sample of large US general merchandise retailers representing about 9,000 stores. Same-store sales are sales in stores continuously open for 12 months or longer. By dollar value, the Index represents over 80% of the equivalent 'official' retail sales series collected and published by the US Department of Commerce. Redbook compiles the Index by collecting and interpreting performance estimates from retailers. The Index and its sub-groups are sales-weighted aggregates of these estimates. Weeks are retail weeks (Sunday to Saturday), and equally weighted within the month.
13:00
USD
Used Car Prices YoY
{previous}
-14.7%
{forecast}
{actual}
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index is a measure of used vehicle prices in the US which fall into one of the 20 market classes (i.e., excludes heavy trucks, motorcycles, etc). Manheim applies statistical analysis to its database of more than 5 million used vehicle transactions annually. The per-mile adjustment is based on a simple linear regression for price and miles for each market class based on data for the current month The Index is weighted based on a 24-month rolling average of past sales by market class.
13:00
USD
Used Car Prices MoM
{previous}
-0.4%
{forecast}
{actual}
The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index is a measure of used vehicle prices in the US which fall into one of the 20 market classes (i.e., excludes heavy trucks, motorcycles, etc). Manheim applies statistical analysis to its database of more than 5 million used vehicle transactions annually. The per-mile adjustment is based on a simple linear regression for price and miles for each market class based on data for the current month The Index is weighted based on a 24-month rolling average of past sales by market class.
14:00
USD
RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Index
{previous}
43.2
{forecast}
44.1
{actual}
IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index measures Americans' opinions and outlooks on the economy. The index is based on a nationwide survey of 900 adults and evaluates six-month economic outlook, personal financial outlook, confidence in federal economic policies. Reading above 50 indicates optimism, and below 50 indicates pessimism.
14:00
CAD
Ivey PMI s.a
{previous}
57.5
{forecast}
58.1
{actual}
The Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) is an economic index which measures the month to month variation in economic activity as indicated by a panel of purchasing managers from across Canada, and is prepared by the Ivey Business School at Western University. The PMI includes both the public and private sectors and is based on month end data Ivey PMI panel members indicate whether their organizations activity is higher than, the same as, or lower than the previous month across the following five categories: purchases, employment, inventories, supplier deliveries and prices.A headline value above 50 indicates an increase in purchases from the previous month and a value below 50 indicates a decrease.
