The value of a country’s currency is affected and largely influenced by various economic indicators that reflect how a country is performing. The macroeconomic events that take place internally and internationally are factors that will have a huge effect on the value of a currency.
As a forex trader you need to be constantly on top of these data – always ready to read and interpret reports as it is released. You should be able to do this quickly as well because the market immediately reacts to these economic indicators. I know of some forex traders who are on a long position but were caught flat-footed when negative economic data was released that resulted in the currency they were trading in to fall in value. Believe me, it’s not a good position to be in.
One of the most common questions asked by budding traders is what economic data to look out for. The question is understandable since there is a mountain of data that is released on a regular basis. But among forex traders the following indicators and reports are what they often follow. These are the ones that have a strong effect on currency value movements.
Employment data
Employment data is a strong economic indicator because it shows the level of unemployment in a country. As we all know a high unemployment rate can create a bigger strain on a country’s economy. Among the employment related data you need to follow are: Unemployment Rate, Unemployment Claims, Employment Change, Non-Farm Employment Change.
Economic data
The Trade Balance and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the major economies and currency leaders are quite important and immediately have an impact on the value of a currency the moment it is released.
Other economic data that you should also monitor are those that are closely linked to indicating inflation, e.g., the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI).
Central Bank and Policy Makers
The biggest influencers of market movements are, of course, the announcements and policies made by a country’s central bank and the important monetary authorities. The most important data indicators are the interest rate announcements and monetary policy statements released by the country central banks, for example, the European Central Bank (ECB), Federal Reserve (Fed), and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
With so many economic data you need to be on top of, it can get confusing if you try to get information from different sources. The best option would be to visit sites dedicated to forex trading strategy. Most of these sites aggregate all of the relevant articles, policy statements and data that have an effect on the forex market. Aside from being a one-stop shop for forex information, most of these sites also feature data analysis and present you with good explanations as to why a recently released set of economic data will be good or bad for certain currencies.
Your favorite forex trading platform will often have its own news and analysis section as well. This is also a good source of information, and it’s also more convenient because you won’t need to visit different sites. It’s all there in one site.
As a forex trader you need to be constantly on top of these data – always ready to read and interpret reports as it is released. You should be able to do this quickly as well because the market immediately reacts to these economic indicators. I know of some forex traders who are on a long position but were caught flat-footed when negative economic data was released that resulted in the currency they were trading in to fall in value. Believe me, it’s not a good position to be in.
One of the most common questions asked by budding traders is what economic data to look out for. The question is understandable since there is a mountain of data that is released on a regular basis. But among forex traders the following indicators and reports are what they often follow. These are the ones that have a strong effect on currency value movements.
Employment data
Employment data is a strong economic indicator because it shows the level of unemployment in a country. As we all know a high unemployment rate can create a bigger strain on a country’s economy. Among the employment related data you need to follow are: Unemployment Rate, Unemployment Claims, Employment Change, Non-Farm Employment Change.
Economic data
The Trade Balance and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the major economies and currency leaders are quite important and immediately have an impact on the value of a currency the moment it is released.
Other economic data that you should also monitor are those that are closely linked to indicating inflation, e.g., the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI).
Central Bank and Policy Makers
The biggest influencers of market movements are, of course, the announcements and policies made by a country’s central bank and the important monetary authorities. The most important data indicators are the interest rate announcements and monetary policy statements released by the country central banks, for example, the European Central Bank (ECB), Federal Reserve (Fed), and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
With so many economic data you need to be on top of, it can get confusing if you try to get information from different sources. The best option would be to visit sites dedicated to forex trading strategy. Most of these sites aggregate all of the relevant articles, policy statements and data that have an effect on the forex market. Aside from being a one-stop shop for forex information, most of these sites also feature data analysis and present you with good explanations as to why a recently released set of economic data will be good or bad for certain currencies.
Your favorite forex trading platform will often have its own news and analysis section as well. This is also a good source of information, and it’s also more convenient because you won’t need to visit different sites. It’s all there in one site.
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Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD: US Dollar to remain pressured until uncertainty fog dissipates
Unimpressive European Central Bank left monetary policy unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting. The United States first-tier employment and inflation data is scheduled for the second week of February. EUR/USD battles to remain afloat above 1.1800, sellers moving to the sidelines.
GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above
GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.
USD/JPY gathers strength to near 157.50 as Takaichi’s party wins snap elections
The USD/JPY pair attracts some buyers to around 157.45 during the early Asian session on Monday. The Japanese Yen weakens against the US Dollar after Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party won an outright majority in Sunday’s lower house election, opening the door to more fiscal stimulus by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Editors’ Picks
USD/JPY gathers strength to near 157.50 as Takaichi’s party wins snap elections
The USD/JPY pair attracts some buyers to around 157.45 during the early Asian session on Monday. The Japanese Yen weakens against the US Dollar after Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party won an outright majority in Sunday’s lower house election, opening the door to more fiscal stimulus by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Gold: Volatility persists in commodity space
After losing more than 8% to end the previous week, Gold remained under heavy selling pressure on Monday and dropped toward $4,400. Although XAU/USD staged a decisive rebound afterward, it failed to stabilize above $5,000. The US economic calendar will feature Nonfarm Payrolls and Consumer Price Index data for January, which could influence the market pricing of the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and impact Gold’s performance.
AUD/USD eyes 0.7050 hurdle amid supportive fundamental backdrop
AUD/USD builds on Friday's goodish rebound from sub-0.6900 levels and kicks off the new week on a positive note, with bulls awaiting a sustained move and acceptance above mid-0.7000s before placing fresh bets. The widening RBA-Fed divergence, along with the upbeat market mood, acts as a tailwind for the risk-sensitive Aussie amid some follow-through US Dollar selling for the second straight day.
Week ahead: US NFP and CPI data to shake Fed cut bets, Japan election looms
US NFP and CPI data awaited after Warsh’s nomination as Fed chief. Yen traders lock gaze on Sunday’s snap election. UK and Eurozone Q4 GDP data also on the agenda. China CPI and PPI could reveal more weakness in domestic demand.
Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election Premium
The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.
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