Economic Calendar
An economic calendar lists scheduled data releases and events that may affect financial markets.
Full explanation
An economic calendar is a schedule of economic reports, central bank decisions, speeches and other events relevant to financial markets. Entries usually identify the country, release time, indicator, previous result and consensus forecast, which is the market’s average expectation.
Forex traders use calendars to understand when scheduled information may affect a currency pair. For example, UK inflation data may influence sterling pairs, while US employment figures may affect pairs containing the US dollar. Calendars cannot show unscheduled news and do not determine how prices will respond.
Example: An economic calendar may show a Bank of England interest-rate decision at 12:00 UK time, an event that could affect GBP/USD and EUR/GBP.
Why traders watch it
It helps traders identify periods when scheduled announcements may cause changes in volatility, liquidity and spreads.
Trading considerations
- Release times may be displayed in local time, exchange time or the user’s selected time zone.
- Consensus forecasts are estimates and can differ from the published figure.
- Data releases may be revised after their initial publication.
Educational guidance only — never a trading signal or recommendation.