How to use an economic calendar
An economic calendar lists the scheduled data releases and central bank events for the days ahead. Traders use it to know when volatility is likely and to avoid being caught off guard.
Focus on high-impact events. Not every release matters equally. Jobs reports, inflation figures and rate decisions usually cause the biggest moves; smaller releases may barely register.
Compare actual to forecast. The market has already priced in the consensus. The reaction comes from the surprise — how far the actual number lands from what was expected.
Check revisions. The previous figure is sometimes revised. A big revision can matter as much as the new number.
Plan around release times. Spreads can widen and prices can jump in the minutes around a major release. Many traders reduce size or wait for the first move to settle.
Frequently asked questions
What do Actual, Forecast and Previous mean?
Actual is the released figure, Forecast is the consensus estimate from economists, and Previous is last period's number, which is sometimes revised.
Which events move markets most?
US payrolls, US CPI, central bank rate decisions and GDP releases are usually the biggest. Their impact is often marked as high.
What time are US releases?
Most major US data comes out at 8:30am New York time, which is 1:30pm in London for most of the year.
Why did the market fall on good data?
Strong data can push up expectations for interest rates, which can weigh on stocks. Context and the details of the release matter.
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