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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 10, 2024
03:35
JPY
3-Month Bill Auction
{previous}
0.0259%
{forecast}
{actual}
03:35
JPY
30-Year JGB Auction
{previous}
1.808%
{forecast}
{actual}
05:00
JPY
Eco Watchers Survey Current
{previous}
49.8
{forecast}
50.4
{actual}
The Economy Watchers Current Index measures the current mood of businesses that directly service consumers, such as barbers, taxi drivers, and waiters. The survey covers eleven regions across the country including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Northern Kanto, Southern Kanto, Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. There were 2,050 people selected among those engaged in jobs in industries. This enabled them to observe any developments that accurately reflect economic activities such as household activity, corporate activity, and employment. A reading above 50.0 indicates optimism; below indicates pessimism.
05:00
JPY
Eco Watchers Survey Outlook
{previous}
51.2
{forecast}
{actual}
The Economy Watchers Survey Outlook measures the expected mood of businesses that directly service consumers, such as barbers, taxi drivers, and waiters. The survey covers eleven regions across the country including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Northern Kanto, Southern Kanto, Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. There were 2,050 people selected among those engaged in jobs in industries. This enabled them to observe any developments that accurately reflect economic activities such as household activity, corporate activity, and employment. A reading above 50.0 indicates optimism; below indicates pessimism.
06:00
GBP
Balance of Trade
{previous}
£-2.291B
{forecast}
{actual}
The UK's trade balance has been in deficit since 1998, due to deficits in trade in goods which are partly offset by surpluses in trade in services. The level of total UK trade in goods as a proportion of total trade in goods and services has been gradually declining since 1986 after peaking at 75 percent in 1985. This is consistent with the rising share of UK trade in services (about 38 percent as of 2021). The UK has trade deficits with China, Norway, Germany, Spain, Poland, Russia, Italy and India; and surpluses with the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
06:00
GBP
Construction Output YoY
{previous}
-2%
{forecast}
-1.2%
{actual}
In the United Kingdom, construction output measures the yearly change in the amount charged by construction companies to customers for value of work. The value is based on the sample of 8,000 businesses, employing over 100 people or with an annual turnover of more than £60 million. Construction estimates are a component of GDP from the production approach, contributing approximately 6.4% of GDP.
06:00
GBP
Business Investment YoY Prel
{previous}
2.8%
{forecast}
{actual}
In the UK, business investment is net investment by private and public corporations. These include investments in transport, information and communication technology (ICT) equipment, other machinery and equipment, cultivated assets, intellectual property products (IPP, which includes investment in software, research and development, artistic originals and mineral exploration), and buildings and other structures. It does not include investment by central or local government, investment in dwellings, or the costs associated with the transfer of non-produced assets (such as land).
06:00
GBP
Industrial Production YoY
{previous}
1.4%
{forecast}
{actual}
In the United Kingdom, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent). Mining and quarrying account for 12 percent of production, as oil and gas extraction accounts for 10 percent. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 11 percent of total output and water supply, sewerage and waste management account for 8 percent.
06:00
GBP
Goods Trade Balance Non-EU
{previous}
£-2.9B
{forecast}
{actual}
06:00
GBP
Manufacturing Production MoM
{previous}
1.2%
{forecast}
-0.5%
{actual}
Manufacturing production measures the output of businesses operating in the manufacturing sector. It is the most important sector in the UK and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent).
06:00
GBP
Construction Orders YoY
{previous}
-30.2%
{forecast}
{actual}
In the UK, new orders in construction measures the value of new orders of main contractors by type of work and region within Great Britain. Since April 2013, data have been supplied directly from Barbour ABI with a sample size of all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, plus 10,000 contractors per year.
06:00
GBP
GDP YoY
{previous}
-0.2%
{forecast}
{actual}
GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in the UK. The reading refers to a year-on-year growth rate.
06:00
GBP
GDP 3-Month Avg
{previous}
0.2%
{forecast}
0.4%
{actual}
GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in the UK. The reading refers to a three-month growth rate, which is a better indicator of the underlying growth in GDP as the monthly figure is likely to be more volatile. In this sense, the monthly release can be thought of as a monthly update on three months’ worth of data on the economy, rather than a figure representing the economy in just one month. Rolling three-month data is calculated by comparing growth in a three-month period with growth in the previous three-month period, for example growth in March to May compared with the previous December to February.
06:00
GBP
Industrial Production MoM
{previous}
1.1%
{forecast}
-0.5%
{actual}
In the United Kingdom, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent). Mining and quarrying account for 12 percent of production, as oil and gas extraction accounts for 10 percent. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 11 percent of total output and water supply, sewerage and waste management account for 8 percent.
06:00
GBP
Manufacturing Production YoY
{previous}
2.7%
{forecast}
{actual}
Manufacturing production measures the output of businesses operating in the manufacturing sector. It is the most important sector in the UK and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent).
06:00
GBP
GDP Growth Rate QoQ Prel
{previous}
-0.3%
{forecast}
0.4%
{actual}
The services sector is the most important and account for 79 percent of United Kingdom's GDP. The biggest segments within services are: government, education and health (19 percent of total GDP); real estate (12 percent); professional, scientific and technical activities and administrative and support services (12 percent); wholesale and retail trade (11 percent); and financial and insurance (8 percent). Industry accounts for 21 percent of the GDP and the largest segments within this sector are: manufacturing (10 percent of total GDP) and construction (6 percent). The Agriculture sector accounts for only 1 percent of GDP. Composition of the GDP on the expenditure side: household consumption (65 percent), government expenditure (20 percent) and gross fixed capital formation (17 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 28 percent of GDP while imports account for 30 percent, subtracting 2 percent from GDP.
06:00
GBP
GDP MoM
{previous}
0.1%
{forecast}
0.1%
{actual}
GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in the UK. The reading refers to a month-over-month growth rate.
06:00
GBP
Business Investment QoQ Prel
{previous}
1.4%
{forecast}
1.9%
{actual}
In the UK, business investment is net investment by private and public corporations. These include investments in transport, information and communication technology (ICT) equipment, other machinery and equipment, cultivated assets, intellectual property products (IPP, which includes investment in software, research and development, artistic originals and mineral exploration), and buildings and other structures. It does not include investment by central or local government, investment in dwellings, or the costs associated with the transfer of non-produced assets (such as land).
06:00
GBP
Goods Trade Balance
{previous}
£-14.21B
{forecast}
£-14.5B
{actual}
In the UK, goods trade balance is equal to goods exports less goods imports.
06:00
GBP
GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel
{previous}
-0.2%
{forecast}
0%
{actual}
GDP The United Kingdom is the sixth largest economy in the world and the second largest in Europe after Germany. The Services sector is the most important and accounts for 79 percent to total GDP. The biggest segments within Services are: government, education and health (19 percent of total GDP); real estate (12 percent); professional, scientific and technical activities and administrative and support services (12 percent); wholesale and retail trade (11 percent); and financial and insurance (8 percent). Industry accounts for 21 percent of the GDP and the largest segments within this sector are: manufacturing (10 percent of total GDP) and construction (6 percent). The Agriculture sector accounts for only 1 percent of GDP.
