Economy
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth
Measures the quarterly change in the inflation-adjusted value of all goods and services produced. GDP is the primary gauge of economic health. Strong, rising GDP typically leads to higher interest rate expectations and is generally bullish for the domestic currency.
Monthly GDP
Measures the monthly change in the inflation-adjusted value of all goods and services produced.
Inflation Rate (CPI/HICP)
Measures the year-over-year percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Inflation is the single most important factor driving Central Bank policy decisions.
Core Inflation
CPI excluding volatile items like food and energy. A cleaner signal of underlying price pressures watched closely by central banks.
Core PCE Price Index
The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure. Tracks spending across all goods and services, and is used to guide U.S. monetary policy decisions.
Producer Price Index (PPI)
Measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. A leading indicator of consumer inflation.
Trade Balance
The difference between the value of a country's exports and imports. A Trade Surplus creates demand for the currency.
Current Account Balance
Measures trade in goods and services and income flows. A broader measure of a country's external position than the trade balance alone.
Retail Sales
Measures change in the total value of sales at the retail level. A key proxy for consumer spending and economic momentum.
Industrial Production
Measures the output of the industrial sector (manufacturing, mining, utilities). An indicator of economic strength and capacity utilization.
Durable Goods Orders
Measures new orders placed with domestic manufacturers for delivery of long-lasting goods. A forward-looking indicator of manufacturing activity.
Consumer Sentiment
A survey of consumer confidence levels. High sentiment typically signals stronger future spending and economic growth.
Labor Market
Unemployment Rate
The percentage of the total labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment.
Employment Level
Total number of employed persons. Rising employment is a direct indicator of economic expansion.
Full-Time Employment
Number of persons employed full-time. A higher share of full-time employment typically signals stronger labor market quality.
Part-Time Employment
Number of persons employed part-time. Tracked alongside full-time employment to assess overall labor market composition.
Labor Force Participation Rate
Ratio of the labor force to the working-age population. Provides context on how much slack exists in the labor market.
Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
NFP is arguably the most market-moving data point in Forex. A higher-than-expected number is extremely bullish for the USD.
Average Hourly Earnings
Measures the change in the price businesses pay for labor. A key wage inflation indicator watched closely for its impact on consumer prices.
Monetary Policy
Central Bank Policy Rate
The primary interest rate set by the Central Bank. The biggest driver of currency valuations in the long term.
Risk Free Rate
Overnight lending rate between banks. Closely tied to the policy rate and used as the baseline for pricing financial instruments.
Government Bond Yields
2-Year Government Bond Yield
Highly sensitive to Central Bank policy expectations over the near term. A rising yield is typically bullish for the currency.
3-Year Government Bond Yield
Short-to-medium term yield reflecting near-term policy and growth expectations.
5-Year Government Bond Yield
Medium-term yield reflecting both policy expectations and longer-term growth outlook.
7-Year Government Bond Yield
Mid-to-long term yield bridging the medium and long end of the yield curve.
10-Year Government Bond Yield
Benchmark long-term yield. A proxy for long-term growth and structural inflation expectations.
20-Year Government Bond Yield
Long-duration yield reflecting structural inflation and fiscal sustainability expectations.
30-Year Government Bond Yield
Ultra-long yield sensitive to long-term inflation expectations and sovereign debt dynamics.
40-Year Government Bond Yield
Japan's longest benchmark bond. Sensitive to demographic trends, fiscal policy, and BOJ yield curve control decisions.
Inflation-Linked Bond Yield
Measures the 'real' cost of borrowing. Crucial for calculating breakeven inflation rates.