Market Events Explained

CPI Report (Inflation)

Monthly inflation data that directly impacts Fed policy and interest rates.

Earnings Reports

Quarterly company financial results that can move individual stocks 10%+ in minutes.

Fed Chair Speech

When the Fed Chair speaks, markets listen. Words can move billions.

FOMC Meetings

Federal Reserve interest rate decisions that move all markets simultaneously.

Jobs Report (NFP)

Monthly employment data that can swing markets in seconds at 8:30 AM.

USD/JPYJapanese Stocks (Nikkei)+2

StocksBonds+2

Medium Impact Events

Notable market reactions

Medium Impact

Central Bank

Bank of Japan Decision

Japan's central bank decisions impact yen, carry trades, and global markets.

8 times per year

Medium Impact

Central Bank

ECB Interest Rate Decision

European Central Bank rate decisions impact global markets and EUR/USD.

8 times per year

EUR/USDEuropean Stocks+2

Medium Impact

GDP Report

Quarterly measure of economic growth. Two negative quarters = recession.

PMI Reports

Business surveys that predict economic direction before official data.

Retail Sales

Monthly consumer spending data—the heartbeat of the US economy.

StocksBonds+1

Low Impact Events

Minor market influence

Consumer Confidence

Survey measuring how optimistic consumers feel about the economy.

StocksConsumer Discretionary ETFs

Individual StocksDividend ETFs

Corporate

Dividend Announcements

Company announcements about cash payments to shareholders.

Every 3 months

Housing Starts

Monthly data on new home construction activity.

Homebuilder StocksREITs+1

Corporate

Stock Splits

When companies divide shares to lower the price per share.

As scheduled

Individual StocksOptions

Trade Balance

Monthly import/export data showing US trade with the world.