Economic Calendar & Market Events

Changes in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services.

A key inflation gauge that directly influences Federal Reserve policy expectations.

CPI releases can trigger sharp moves in both directions as participants reassess rate expectations.

A higher or lower reading does not guarantee a specific market direction — context and expectations matter.

Changes in prices received by domestic producers.

Producer-level inflation can signal future consumer inflation trends.

Can move futures markets, though typically with less intensity than CPI.

Direction depends on how the reading compares to expectations and broader context.

The change in the number of employed people, excluding the farming sector.

A primary indicator of U.S. labor market strength and a major input for Fed policy.

NFP release day is among the highest-volatility recurring events for equity-index futures.

Strong or weak numbers can produce moves in either direction depending on expectations.

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking work.

A broad signal of labor market health and economic momentum.

Released alongside NFP; can amplify or complicate the market reaction.

Direction cannot be predicted from the number alone — expectations and context drive the reaction.

Weekly filings for unemployment benefits.

A high-frequency labor market indicator that can shift sentiment.

Initial claims can cause intraday movement, especially when the reading surprises.

The market reaction depends on expectations, trends, and broader context.

The target range for the federal funds rate set by the FOMC.

Directly influences borrowing costs, valuations, and risk appetite.

Rate decision announcements can cause immediate and significant volatility.

Markets price in expectations; the reaction depends on the gap between expectation and outcome.

The Federal Open Market Committee’s policy statement and forward guidance.

Language changes in the statement signal future policy direction.

Statement wording is parsed in real time and can move markets rapidly.

Hawkish or dovish language does not guarantee a specific directional move.

The Fed Chair’s live press conference following the rate decision.

Answers to reporter questions can clarify or shift policy interpretation.

Press conference comments can create additional waves of volatility after the statement.

Reactions can reverse mid-conference as new context emerges.

Public remarks by Federal Reserve officials outside of scheduled meetings.

Speeches can signal policy leanings or shift expectations between meetings.

Major speeches can move markets, especially when they address rate expectations.

The market reaction depends on whether the speech surprises expectations.

The total value of goods and services produced in the U.S. economy.

The broadest measure of economic growth and activity.

GDP releases can influence sentiment, though revisions and expectations moderate the reaction.

Stronger or weaker growth does not automatically determine market direction.

Changes in total receipts at stores that sell merchandise and related services.

A gauge of consumer spending, a major component of the U.S. economy.

Can move futures markets, particularly when the reading surprises.

The reaction depends on expectations and the broader economic picture.

A survey-based index of manufacturing sector activity.

A timely read on the manufacturing economy and business conditions.

Can move equity-index futures, especially when the reading is well above or below expectations.

Direction is not guaranteed — context and expectations drive the reaction.

A survey-based index of services sector activity.

Services represent a large share of the U.S. economy.

Can influence sentiment on the health of the broader economy.

The market reaction depends on expectations and surrounding context.

A survey index of consumer attitudes about the economy and spending.

Consumer sentiment can influence spending expectations and equity valuations.

Can move futures markets when the reading is surprising.

Direction cannot be predicted from the index value alone.

Changes in consumer spending, including the Fed’s preferred inflation measure (Core PCE).

The Fed’s primary inflation gauge for policy decisions.

PCE inflation readings can move markets as participants reassess Fed expectations.

Higher or lower inflation does not guarantee a specific market move.

U.S. government debt issuance results, including bid-to-cover ratios and yields.

Auction demand influences Treasury yields, which affect equity valuations.

Major auctions can cause intraday movement, especially in rate-sensitive contracts.

Auction results do not predict equity-index futures direction.

Quarterly earnings reports from large technology companies.

Large-cap tech earnings can move NQ and MNQ disproportionately due to index concentration.

Earnings reactions can be immediate and large, often occurring outside regular session hours.

Beating or missing estimates does not guarantee a specific directional move.