Economic Calendar Explained

Overview

The economic calendar lists scheduled data releases — GDP, CPI, employment, PMI — that move markets. Understanding how to read and prioritise these events is essential for fundamental traders and macro-aware investors. Dive deeper into the forces behind these releases in the macro academy and the fundamental analysis guide. Pair your calendar review with the latest central bank news to understand how policymakers are likely to react to incoming data.

Key Takeaways

• High-impact events like Non-Farm Payrolls and CPI releases cause the most volatility
• Consensus expectations matter more than the absolute number — surprises move markets
• Revisions to prior data points can be equally market-moving
• Different calendars rate event impact differently — cross-reference for accuracy

Practical Tips

• Review the week's high-impact events every Sunday to plan your trading week
• Avoid opening new positions 30 minutes before major data releases
• Compare actual vs consensus and prior to determine if the release is bullish or bearish