Economic Calendar
Economic Calendar: Your Scheduling Tool for Market Moves
The Economic Calendar lists all upcoming economic data releases, central bank meetings, and speeches that can move the forex market. Understanding how to read and use it is essential for every trader — even pure technicians.
Why the Calendar Matters
- Major releases can move markets 50-200+ pips in seconds.
- Knowing when high-impact news is scheduled helps you avoid getting stopped out by unexpected volatility.
- Fundamental traders use the calendar to plan entry and exit strategies.
How to Read the Calendar
Every event on the calendar typically shows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | When the data is released (usually in GMT/UTC) |
| Currency | Which currency will be affected |
| Event Name | The name of the data release |
| Impact | Low, Medium, or High |
| Previous | The last released value |
| Forecast | What economists expect |
| Actual | The real number (after release) |
Key High-Impact Events
United States (USD)
- Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP): Jobs created. Released first Friday of every month.
- CPI (Consumer Price Index): Inflation data.
- FOMC Interest Rate Decision: The Fed's rate setting.
- GDP: Economic growth.
Europe (EUR)
- ECB Interest Rate Decision
- CPI (Eurozone)
- PMI (Purchasing Managers Index)
United Kingdom (GBP)
- BOE Interest Rate Decision
- CPI (UK)
- Employment Data
Japan (JPY)
- BOJ Interest Rate Decision
- Tankan Survey
How to Trade Around News
Option 1: Avoid News Entirely
Close all positions 30 minutes before high-impact events. Re-enter after the dust settles (15-30 minutes post-release). This is the safest approach for beginners.
Option 2: Trade the News
For experienced traders, use the straddle or fade strategy (see our News Trading guide).
Option 3: Factor News Into Analysis
If an event might support your technical setup, it adds confluence. If it contradicts your setup, be cautious or skip the trade.
Calendar Rules for All Traders
- Check the calendar every morning before your trading session.
- Highlight events for currencies you trade. If you trade EUR/USD, watch both USD and EUR events.
- Never enter a trade 30 minutes before a red-flag event unless you are specifically trading the news.
- Widen stops or reduce position size if holding through news.
Best Economic Calendar Websites
- Forex Factory (forexfactory.com) — The most popular among retail traders.
- Investing.com — Clean interface with filtering options.
- TradingView — Built into the charting platform.
- DailyFX — Good analysis alongside the calendar.
The economic calendar is free, takes 5 minutes to check, and can save you from unnecessary losses. Make it part of your daily routine.
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