Key event definitions

This is one of the most closely watched indicators of employment in the US after the non-farm payrolls and is highly regarded as a comprehensive measure of job creation in the country. An increase in this figure indicates rising employment and potential inflation pressures, which can lead to rate increases.​

Released monthly, about two days after the month ends.

Measures the estimated monthly change in employment in the US, excluding the farming and government sectors.

Business inventories often reflect turning points in the state of the economy. Low inventories can mean the economy is about to flourish because businesses' stock rooms are empty and need to be replenished, in turn requiring higher production. High inventories combined with low sales indicate a slowing economy as wholesale orders lessen, slowing production.

Released monthly. 

Measures the change in the value of unsold goods held by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.

Shows the change in a country's residential and non-residential construction spending. An indication of the level of construction activity in the country. 

The construction industry makes a large contribution to GDP, in terms of investment and stimulus of associated industries. In the US, the impact of this report is muted as it is released after the building permits and building starts figures, which provide similar information.

Released monthly.

Measures the change in the total amount spent on construction projects in the US.

This report corresponds with a country's consumer confidence and spending. An increasing consumer credit figure indicates that lenders are feeling more comfortable with issuing loans, and consumers are more confident in their financial positions and are therefore more eager to spend money.

Released monthly.

Measures the change in the total value of outstanding consumer credit that requires instalment payments.

The main measure of inflation in a country. Often used by central banks when deciding where to set the country's official interest rate.

Released monthly, about 15 days after the month ends.

Measures changes in the cost of living. Calculated by tracking changes in the price of a basket of goods and services used by a typical household.

A positive value means that the flow of capital in a country exceeds the capital leaving the country. A negative value reflects a current account deficit, where there is a flow of capital out of the country. Ongoing current account deficits can lead to a weakening of the country's currency.

Released quarterly, about 75 days after the quarter ends.

Measures the flow of goods, services, transfer payments and income into and out of a country.

A leading indicator of overall economic health in the state of New York and manufacturing in the US based on a survey of about 200 manufacturers in New York. Businesses react quickly to market conditions and this figure describes the prevalent sentiment among manufacturing businesses in New York. A figure of above 0 indicates improving economic conditions, whereas a figure below 0 signals worsening conditions.

Released monthly, around the middle of the current month.

Measures the level of a diffusion index that gauges business conditions and expectations of manufacturing executives in the state of New York.

The existing home sales release is a good indication of the health of a country's housing market. Sellers of existing homes often spend part of the profits they make on consumption, which has a positive effect on the economy. There are other ripple effects that boost the economy too, such as renovations on homes and new business for banks issuing mortgages.

Released monthly.

Measures the number of homes that are under contract to be sold but are still awaiting the closing transaction. This figure excludes new construction.

A good measure of the level of demand for goods in a country. More orders demand more production and this boosts activity in the manufacturing sector. The factory orders or durable goods orders figure is a reliable indicator of manufacturing activity. On the other hand, when consumers are less confident in the economy, durable goods sales are the first to reflect this, as consumers can delay the purchases of durable items like televisions and cars.

Released monthly.

Measures changes in the value of new orders, unfilled orders, shipments and inventories reported by US manufacturers. This figure is the revised durable goods figure.

Gross domestic product, or GDP, is a broad indicator of overall economic activity and growth. There are three versions of GDP released about a month apart: advance, preliminary and final. The advanced version tends to have the most impact on the market as it is the first to be released, whereas the final GDP is the change in the value of all final goods and services produced in the country. 

Released quarterly, about 60 days after the quarter ends.

Measures the change in the value of all final goods and services produced in a country.

This figure has an impact on inflation for both consumers and businesses that rely on imported goods and services. If the import price goes up, costs are passed on to these businesses and consumers. In the US, this is the earliest inflation data released by the government.

Released monthly.

Measures the change in the prices of goods and services imported in a country.

A leading indicator of overall economic health in the US, because businesses in the manufacturing sector react quickly to market fluctuations and their purchasing managers hold the most up-to-date and relevant insights into a company's views on the economy. Around 400 purchasing managers are surveyed – they're asked to rate relative levels of business conditions like employment, prices, inventories, production and new orders. A figure above 50 reflects industry expansion; below 50 indicates the opposite. 

Released monthly, on the first business day after the month ends.

Measures the level of a diffusion index that is based on a survey of purchasing managers in the US manufacturing sector.

The MBA mortgage applications survey is a good gauge of the state of the US housing market. An increasing number of mortgage applications suggest a healthy or thriving housing market, which has a positive effect on the rest of the economy.

Released weekly.

Measures the demand for mortgages in the US. Also included in this report are a variety of indices, including the purchasing index and the refinancing index. The purchasing index measures the change in existing home sales in all mortgage applications, while the refinance index measures the mortgage refinancing activity.

This release measures the number of jobs added or lost in the US during a particular month. Agricultural jobs are excluded due to their large seasonal fluctuations. The non-farm payrolls are a notable economic indicator, normally released on the first Friday of every month by the US Department of Labor. It presents the number of people on the payrolls of all businesses, with the exception of agricultural, local government, private household and non-profit. The monthly figure can change significantly, and often leads to a high level of volatility in FX pairs such as EUR/USD, around the time of the release. Generally, a high reading is seen as positive (or bullish) for the US dollar, while a low reading is seen as negative (or bearish).

Released monthly, usually on the first Friday of the month.

Measures the percentage of the total US workforce that was unemployed but actively seeking employment during the previous month.

This figure is useful for gauging the spending power of consumers in the US. Increased income allows for increased consumer spending which fuels the US economy and encourages growth.

Released monthly.

Measures the change in value of income that consumers in the US receive, before tax. Income sources include employment, investments and transfer payments.

Based on a survey of around 250 manufacturers who are asked to rate the level of a number of general business conditions. Higher figures reflect a positive outlook from manufacturers, suggesting increased production that leads on to economic growth. A figure above 0 indicates improving conditions, while a number below 0 indicates worsening conditions. Although this is a well-established, valued survey, its impact on release can be relatively mild because the figure comes out a few days after the highly correlated state manufacturing index.

Released monthly, around the middle of the month.

Measures the level of a diffusion index that gauges business conditions and expectations of manufacturing executives in Philadelphia.

Gives an early indication of inflation that consumers will face later, because this index analyses changes that take place before goods reach the retail level. When producers charge more for goods and services, these costs are usually passed on to the consumer. A rise in prices and inflation may lead to the US Federal Reserve increasing interest rates. A falling PPI may suggest an economic slowdown.

Released monthly.

Measures the change in the price of goods and services sold by producers in any country.

The retail sales figure is an important measure of consumer demand and spending. Increased retail sales mean higher retail output and economic growth, as consumer spending makes up a majority of the overall economic activity.

Released monthly.

The change in the total value of sales by a country's retailers.

Trade balance is directly linked to demand for the country's currency. A positive trade balance, also called a surplus, indicates that more goods and services were exported than imported. In the US, for instance, foreigners must buy US dollars to buy US goods and services and this strengthens the dollar. A demand from abroad also boosts production and prices at manufacturers.

Released monthly.

The trade deficit is the amount that imports exceed exports that month.

Employment is vital to the economy. If unemployment is up, consumer spending goes down and there is less demand for goods and services. Employment is a good indicator of an economy's health.

Released weekly.