Forex Data Guide

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Every week there are dozens of economic surveys and indicators released. Economic indicators can cause the market to make huge price moves. You can literally make 200 pips in 10 seconds if you are wearing your lucky shirt. You can also be like Clueless Calvin who loses 300 pips in 5 minutes and has no idea what happened.

What the heck do these reports mean? Do you know your GDP from your CPI? Which data is important and which is a waste of time?

This guide will prevent you from becoming another Cluelss Calvin. You'll learn how to analyze and interpret the different kinds of data which will help you become a more savvy and prepared trader.

The BIG Trading Factors

The importance of economic data releases and government events will depend on the current market's focus. For example, trade data have been important in the past, but are basically ignored right now. Since the U.S Federal Reserve has steadily been raising interest rates for the past year, interest rates and inflation reports have been in the spotlight. The market focus constantly changes so its important that you're aware of what the "it" factor is at the moment.

There are the top factors that have a major market impact on a regular basis:

• US employment data
• FOMC meetings
• US Federal Reserve Chairman's testimoy
• US trade balance
• US GDP
• ECB rate decisions
• US Consumer Price Index
• US retail sales
• Japan Tankan Index

Data Guide

Beige Book

Definition: Each Federal Reserve Bank gathers anecdotal information on current economic condition in its District through reports from Bank and Branch directors and interviews with key businessmen, economists, market experts, and other sources. The Beige Book summarizes this information by District and sector.

Importance: The Fed uses this report, along with other indicators, to determine interest rate policy at FOMC meetings. These meetings are held two weeks after the Beige Book’s release.

If the Beige Book portrays inflationary pressure, the Fed may raise interest rates. Conversely, if the Beige Book portrays recessionary conditions, the Fed may lower interest rates.

Source: Federal Reserve Board

Availability: It is released at 2:00pm EST on the Wednesday less than two weeks prior to an FOMC meeting.

Frequency: Eight times a year.

Capital Flows (TIC)

Definition: The US Treasury releases a monthly report on the net capital flows into the US. This includes inflows into bonds and stocks. It also differentiates between private inflows and official inflows through central banks. As the US current account deficit has widened, information on capital flows has assumed greater importance.

Importance: A decline in inflows suggests that overseas confidence in the US is waning. There will be a particular concern if the capital inflows are lower than the monthly US current account deficit. This increases the dollar’s dependency on short-term capital inflows.

A fall or weak levels of inflows tend to weaken the dollar.

Source: US Department of Treasury

Availability: It is released the middle of each month (the 11th business day) at 9:00 a.m EST.

Frequency: Monthly

CBI Report

Definition: The level of confidence within the UK industrial sector is measured by the CBI in its monthly and quarterly reports.

Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

Definition: It’s based on surveys of more than 200 purchasing managers regarding the manufacturing industry in the Chicago area whose distribution of manufacturing firm mirrors the national distribution.

Importance: Along with the Philadelphia Fed Index, it helps to forecast the results of the much more closely watched ISM index, which is released on the following business day. The ISM index is the leading indicator of overall economic activity.

Readings above 50 indicate an expanding factory sector, while values below 50 are indicative of contraction.

Source: Chicago Purchasing Managers Association

Availability: Last business day of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for current month.

Frequency: Monthly

CIPS Report

This is the equivalent of the ISM reports in the US. Figures are produced for the industrial and services sector and are released by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Consumer Confidence Index

Definition: A survey of 5,000 consumers asking them how they feel about the current economy and their spending patterns. They will also be asked how confident they are about buying expensive consumer goods. The report is split into how people feel now and their expectations over the next few months.

Importance: A neutral level is in the region of 100. Figures below 75 are generally weak while levels above 125 are strong. A sharp drop in confidence can signal that the economy is weakening, but the correlation between spending and confidence figures is not very strong.

This report can occasionally be helpful in predicting sudden shifts in consumption patterns. And since consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of the economy, its gives us insights about the direction of the economy. However, only index changes of at least five points should be considered significant.

Strong confidence figures are positive for the US currency.

Source: The Conference Board

Availability: Last Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for prior month.

Frequency: Monthly

Consumer Price Index

Definition: An index that measures the change in price of a representative basket of goods and service such as food, energy, housing, clothing, transportation, medical care, entertainment and education. It’s also known as the cost-of-living index.

Importance: It’s important to monitor the CPI excluding food and energy prices for its monthly stability. This is referred to as the “core CPI” and gives a clearer picture of the underlying inflation trend.

Generally, a higher inflation figure offers support to the dollar as it suggests that US interest rates need to rise. A sharp rise in inflation will, however,
undermine confidence and could then be dollar negative, especially if there are a series of high figures.

Source: Bureau of Labor statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Availability: Around the 13th of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for prior month.

Current Account Balance

Defintion: The current account figures are released quarterly and are a wider measure of the balance of payments than the trade balance. The figures include elements such as trade in services and investment income as well as the trade in goods. Also included, are direct investment inflows.

Importance: A widening deficit illustrates the trade problems and increases the dependency on capital inflows to the US. Wider deficits will increase the dollar’s risk profile. A high deficit will tend to weaken the dollar. Usually, a sustained annual deficit above 5.0% of GDP is a serious warning sign for a currency.

Durable Goods Orders

Definition: This is a government index that measure the level of orders placed at US factories for expensive durable items such as machinery and vehicles. Durable goods are new or used items generally with a normal life expectancy of three years or more. Analysts exclude defense and transportation orders because of their volatility.

Importance: This report gives us information on the strength of demand for U.S. manufactured durable goods, from both domestic and foreign sources. When the index is increasing, it suggests demand is strengthening, which will probably result in rising production and employment. A falling index suggests the opposite.

Orders for durable goods show how busy factories will be in the months to come, as manufacturers work to fill those orders. The data not only provide insight to demand for things like refrigerators and cars, but also business investment going forward. If companies commit to spending more on equipment and other capital, they are obviously experiencing sustainable growth in their business. Increased expenditures on investment goods sets the stage for greater productive capacity in the country and reduces the prospects for inflation. That tells investors what to expect from the manufacturing sector, a major component of the economy.

A strong figure is positive for the US currency.

Source: The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce

Availability: Around the 26th of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for prior month.

Frequency: Monthly

Employment Cost Index (ECI)

Definition: The ECI is designed to measure the change in the cost of labor, including wages and salaries as well as benefits.

Importance: The employment cost index is an easy way to evaluate wage trends and the risk of wage inflation. Wage inflation is high on the Federal Reserve's enemy list. Fed officials are always on the lookout for the prospects of inflationary pressures. Wage pressures tend to percolate when economic activity is booming and the demand for labor is rising rapidly. During economic downturns, wage pressures tend to be subdued because labor demand is down.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Availability: Last business day of January, April, July, and October at 8:30 am EST. Data for prior quarter.

Employment Situation

Definition: This report lists the number of payroll jobs at all non-farm business establishments and government agencies. The unemployment rate, average hourly and weekly earnings, and the length of the average workweek are listed in this report. This release is the single most watched economic statistic because of its timeliness, accuracy, and its importance as an indicator of economic activity.

Importance: Non-farm payroll is an important indicator of economic growth. The greater the increase in employment, the faster the total economic growth.

An increasing unemployment rate is associated with a contracting economy and declining interest rates. Conversely, a decreasing unemployment rate is associated with an expanding economy and potentially increasing interest rates. The fear is that wages will rise if the unemployment rate becomes too low and workers are hard to find. The economy is considered to be at full employment when unemployment is between 5.5% and 6.0%.

If average earnings is rising sharply, it may be an indication of potential inflation.

When the average workweek is trending higher, it forecasts additional employment increases.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Availability: First Friday of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for prior month.

Frequency: Monthly

Existing Home Sales

Definition: This report measures the selling rate of pre-owned houses. It’s considered a decent indicator of activity in the housing sector

Importance: This provides a gauge of not only the demand for housing, but the economic momentum. People have to be financially confident in order to buy a house.

Furthermore, this narrow piece of data has a powerful multiplier effect through the economy, and therefore across the markets and your investments. By tracking economic data such as home resales, investors can gain specific investment ideas as well as broad guidance for managing a portfolio.

Even though home resales don't always create new output, once the home is sold, it generates revenues for the realtor. It brings a myriad of consumption opportunities for the buyer. Refrigerators, washers, dryers and furniture are just a few items home buyers might purchase. The economic "ripple effect" can be substantial especially when you think a hundred thousand new households around the country are doing this every month.

Source: The National Association of Realtors

Availability: On the 25th of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for prior month.

Frequency: Monthly

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Definition: GDP measures the dollar value of all goods and services produced within the borders of the United States, regardless of who owns the assets or the nationality of the labor in producing that output.

Data are available in nominal and real dollars. Investors always monitor the real growth rates because they are adjusted for inflation

Importance: This is the most comprehensive measure of the performance of the U.S. economy. Healthy GDP growth is between 2.0% and 2.5% (when the unemployment rate is between 5.5% and 6.0%). This translates into strong corporate earnings, which bodes well for the stock market.

A higher GDP growth leads to accelerating inflation, while lower growth indicates a weak economy.

A low figure is generally dollar negative for the dollar, most especially if GDP growth is below zero. A combination of weakening growth and rising inflationary pressure is particularly dangerous for the currency as it warns of stagflation and undermines investor confidence.

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce

Availability: Third or fourth week of the month at 8:30 am EST for the prior quarter, with subsequent revisions released in the second and third months of the quarter.

Frequency: Quarterly.

House Prices

Definition: A UK report. Assessments of monthly price changes are released by the Nationwide and Halifax Banks, together with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Importance: Strong house prices will tend to boost consumer spending and the economy in the short term. Strength also suggests that interest rates need to rise. The longer-term issues are more complicated.

Strong reports will be Sterling positive in the short term. The longer-term
implications are dangerous, especially as a sharp slowdown in the sector can destabilize the economy as a whole.

Housing Starts and Building Permits

Definition: A measure of the number of residential units on which construction is begun each month.

Importance: It’s used to predict the changes of gross domestic product. While residential investments represents just four percent of the level of GDP, due to its volatility, it frequently represents a much higher portion of changes in GDP over relatively short periods of time.

Source: The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce

Availability: Around the 16th of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for month prior.

Frequency: Monthly

IFO Index

Definition: The IFO index is an indicator of German business confidence and is similar to the PMI reports.

Importance: A robust index report suggests that production will rise over the next few months. Strong figures should strengthen the Euro.

Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization

Definition: The Index of Industrial Production is a measure of the physical output of the nation’s factories, mines, and utilities. The capacity utilization rate shows whether factories are producing at near capacity or whether there is room to expand production.

Importance: While the industrial sector of the economy represents only about 25 percent of GDP, changes in GDP are heavily concentrated in the industrial sector. Therefore, changes in The Index of Industrial Production provide useful information on the current growth of GDP.

Keep in mind that some fluctuations are caused by factors such as the weather which influences the level of electricity output. The headline data can, therefore, be misleading.

If there is a high level of production, the manufacturing sector is performing well. If there are capacity utilisation rates above 85%, there will be fears of
an increase in inflation which could force interest rates to rise. Investors typically use the capacity utilization rate an inflation indicator.

Strong figures are likely to support the US currency.

Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Availability: Around the 15th of the month at 9:15 am EST. Data for prior month.

Frequency: Monthly

Initial Claims

Definition: A government index that tracks the number of people filing first-time claims for state unemployment insurance.

Importance: Investors use this indicator’s four-week moving average to predict trends in the labor market. A move of 30,000 of more in claims shows a substantial change in job growth. Remember that the lower the number of claims, the stronger the job market, and vice versa.

Source: The Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor

Availability: Thursday at 8:30 am EST. Data for week ended prior Saturday.

International Trade

Definition: This report measures the difference between exports and imports of U.S. goods and services.

Importance: Import and exports are important components of aggregate economic activity, representing approximately 14 and 12 percent of GDP respectively. Typically, the stronger exports are bullish for corporate earnings and the stock market.

Changes in trade balance with particular countries can have implications for foreign exchange and policy with that trading partner, so this report is also important for investors who are interested in diversifying globally.

Source: The Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce

Availability: Around the 19th of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for two months prior.

Frequency: Monthly.

ISM Manufacturing Index

Definition: The ISM Manufacturing Index is based on surveys of 300 purchasing managers nationwide representing 20 industries regarding manufacturing activity. It covers indicators as new orders, production, employment, inventories, delivery times, prices, export orders, and import orders.

Importance: It’s considered as the king of all manufacturing indices. Readings of 50% or above are associated with an expanding manufacturing sector and a healthy economy, while readings below 50 are associated with contraction.

A figure below 40 is traditionally recognized as indicating a recession in the economy as a whole while a reading above 65 indicates
strong growth.

Additionally, its various sub-components contain useful information about manufacturing activity. The production component is related to industrial production, new orders to durable goods orders, employment to factory payrolls, prices to producer prices, export orders to merchandise trade exports and import orders to merchandise imports.

The index is seasonally adjusted for the effects of variations within the year, differences due to holidays and institutional changes.

A strong figure is positive for the US currency, although investors will
want consistently high figures across all sectors.

Source: Institute for Supply Management

Availability: On the first business day of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for month prior.

Frequency: Monthly

ISM Services Index

Definition: Also known as Non-Manufacturing ISM. This index is based on a survey of about 370 purchasing executives in industries of finance, insurance, real estate, communications, and utilities. It reports business activity in the service sector.

Importance: Readings above 50% indicate expansion for the non-manufacturing components of the economy. While readings below 50% indicate contraction.

The is a new index created in 1997, so it’s not followed as closely as the ISM Manufacturing Index, which dates back to the 1940s.

Source: Institute for Supply Management

Availability: On the third business day of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for month prior.

Frequency: Monthly

Jobless Claims

Definition: This report indicates how many new claims for jobless benefits were filed by unemployed workers in the latest week. The figures are prepared on a state-by-state basis by government agencies and are then
aggregated. The number of continuing claims are also released.

Importance: A level above 400,000 signals a particularly weak labor market
and a probable recession, whereas a figure below 300,000 suggests a strong labor market and the need for higher interest rates.

There are problems with seasonal adjustments and the 4-week moving average is normally the more important figure in determining the underlying trend.

Money Supply

Definition: Given the persistent deflation problems in Japan, the figures on money supply growth are important.

Importance: Weak money supply growth figures will force the Bank of Japan to maintain low interest rates and this will tend to be a negative factor for the yen.

Falling prices indicate deflation and are negative for the yen.

New Home Sales

Definition: Also known as New Singly-Family Houses Sold. This report is based on interviews of about 10,000 builders or owners of about 15,000 selected building projects. It measures the number of newly constructed homes with a committed sale during the month.

Importance: This provides a gauge of not only the demand for housing, but the economic momentum. People have to be feeling pretty comfortable and confident in their own financial position to buy a house. Furthermore, this narrow piece of data has a powerful multiplier effect through the economy, and therefore across the markets and your investments. By tracking economic data such as new home sales, investors can gain specific investment ideas as well as broad guidance for managing a portfolio.

Each time the construction of a new home begins, it translates to more construction jobs, and income which will be pumped back into the economy. Once the home is sold, it generates revenues for the home builder and the realtor. It brings a myriad of consumption opportunities for the buyer. Refrigerators, washers, dryers and furniture are just a few items new home buyers might purchase. The economic "ripple effect" can be substantial especially when you think a hundred thousand new households around the country are doing this every month.

The report rarely prompts a market reaction. The market prefers the existing home sales report, which has a sample data pool four times as large and is released earlier in the month.

Source: The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce

Availability: Around the last business day of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for month prior.

Frequency: Monthly

Non-farm Payrolls

Definition: Each month the Bureau of Labour Statistics estimates the number of people employed in the US through a sample of companies. As the name suggests, the agricultural sector is excluded. Replies from companies are taken and the non-farm payroll figure is the difference in total compared with the previous month. The report is normally released on the first Friday of the month. The report is seasonally adjusted to smooth out to produce a smooth series. There is a breakdown of employment in different sectors of the economy. Also included, are figures on weekly hours and earnings.

Importance: An average or neutral monthly employment increase is in the
region of +200,000 given that the US working population is consistently rising by around 150,000 a month. Payroll growth of 150,000 is, therefore, needed just to keep pace with higher number of workers. A negative figure, i.e. lower employment, suggests that the US economy is in recession. A figure above 400,000 indicates a very strong economy.

Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics

Availability: First Friday of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for prior month.

Frequency: Monthly

Personal Income and Consumption

Definition: Also known as Personal Income and Outlays. Personal Income represents the income that households receive from all sources, including employment, self-employment, investments, and transfer payments.

Personal Outlays are consumer spending which is divided into durable goods, non-durable goods, and services.

Importance: Income is the major determinant of spending (US consumer spend approximately 95 cents of each new dollar) and consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of the economy. Greater spending spurs corporate profits and benefits the stock market.

Source: The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce

Availability: First business day of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for two months prior.

Frequency: Monthly

Philadelphia Fed

Definition: Regional manufacturing that covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. This region represents a reasonable cross section of national manufacturing activities.

Importance: Readings above 50 percent indicate an expanding factory sector, while values below 50 are indicate of contraction.

Along with the Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Index, it helps to forecast the results of the much more closely watched ISM index. The ISM index is the leading indicator or overall economic activity.

Source: The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank

Availability: Third Thursday of the month at 10:00 am EST. Data for the current month.

Frequency: Monthly

PMI Index

The PMI report is equivalent to the ISM reports in the US.

Producer Price Index (PPI)

Definition: The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the average price of a fixed basket of capital and consumer goods at the wholesale level. There are three primary publication structures for the PPI: industry, commodity, and stage-of-processing.

Importance: It’s important to monitor the PPI excluding food and energy prices for its monthly stability. This is referred as the “core PPI” and gives a clearer picture of the underlying inflation trend.

Changes in the core PPI are considered a precursor of consumer price inflation. Inflationary pressure is generated when the core PPI posts larger-than-expected gains.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Availability: Around the 11th of each month at 8:30am EST. Data for month prior.

Frequency: Monthly

Retail Sales

Definition: This index measures the total sales of goods by all retail establishments in the U.S. (sales of services not included). These figures are in current dollars, that is, they are not adjusted for inflation. However, the data are adjusted for seasonal, holiday, and trading-day differences between the months of the year.

Importance: This is considered the most timeliest indicator of broad consumer spending patterns. It gives you a sense of the trends among different types of retailers.

It’s important to monitor retail sales excluding autos and trucks to avoid extreme volatility.

A strong figure would usually be positive for the US currency.

Source: The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce

Availability: Around the 12th of the month at 8:30 am EST. Data for month prior.

Frequency: Monthly

Tankan Index

Definition: This is an important quarterly indicator. It is a measure of business confidence based on replies to surveys sent to Japanese companies. The headline figure is based on the responses for large Japanese manufacturing companies. Data is also released for small companies and service-sector companies.

Importance: A figure above 0 is generally positive for the economy, although it is the overall trend that is most important.

High figures are positive for Japan and tend to support the yen.

Trade Balance

Definition: The Commerce Department measures the difference between exports leaving the US and imports arriving in the US. The difference between the two is the monthly trade balance. The US has run a consistent trade deficit over the past 15 years.

Importance: A widening trade gap suggests that the dollar may be overvalued, especially if exports are weak. Strong imports are a more complex issue as it suggests that domestic spending is too strong. In this case, higher interest rates may be needed which would tend to be dollar supportive, but there would also be pressure for a weaker dollar to help boost exports and close the trade gap. A higher than expected trade deficit will tend to weaken the dollar, especially if exports are weak.