How to read an economic calendar

A practical guide to inflation releases, jobs reports, and the numbers behind the headlines.

An economic calendar lists scheduled data releases and policy events. It is a research tool that helps you understand when new information may reach the market.

Actual, forecast, and previous

The actual value is the new release, the forecast is an estimate, and the previous value refers to an earlier period. Forecasts differ by provider, and previous figures can be revised. Always check units, reporting periods, and the original publication.

Check the time zone

Calendar times can be shown in your local time or a provider’s default time zone. Daylight saving changes can shift the local time of a release. Confirm the event time with the issuing institution.

Read beyond the headline

A jobs report can include wages, participation, and revisions. An inflation release can contain headline and core measures. A single number rarely describes the entire economic picture.

Scheduled events can coincide with volatility and wider spreads. A calendar does not predict the direction of a price move.

For general education only. Not investment advice. Examples are illustrative, and market conditions can change.