📅 Economic Events
The scheduled releases that move index futures, grouped by typical impact, with an example monthly calendar.
Scheduled economic data is one of the few things in trading you can see coming. Releases like CPI, the jobs report and Fed decisions can move ES and NQ several points in seconds, widen spreads and thin the book. Knowing the calendar is basic risk management.
Example schedule
The calendar below is generated from typical release patterns (for example, "first Friday of the month") and Federal Reserve meeting dates as published for 2026. Real dates move for holidays and agency schedules. Always confirm on the official calendars — BLS, BEA and the Federal Reserve — before you rely on a date.
How to use it
- Check the week ahead every Sunday.
- Know the release time — most US data hits at 8:30 am ET, before the cash open; some at 10:00 am ET; Fed decisions at 2:00 pm ET.
- Decide in advance whether you'll be flat, smaller, or waiting until after the release.
Click any event in the calendar for details.
Event library
Highest
Employment Situation (NFP) · Labor · 8:30 AM ET
Monthly US jobs report: nonfarm payrolls, the unemployment rate and average hourly earnings. Usually released on the first Friday of the month.
Why it matters: The broadest read on the labour market, which feeds directly into rate expectations. Moves at 8:30 can be fast and two-sided.
Consumer Price Index (CPI) · Inflation · 8:30 AM ET
Monthly change in consumer prices, headline and core (excluding food and energy). Typically mid-month; shown here on the second Wednesday as an example.
Why it matters: Inflation drives the Fed's path. Surprises versus expectations often set the tone for the whole session.
FOMC Rate Decision · Policy · 2:00 PM ET
The Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision and statement, followed by the Chair's press conference at 2:30 PM ET. Eight scheduled meetings a year.
Why it matters: Changes the cost of money directly. The statement and press conference can each move markets, sometimes in opposite directions.
High
PCE Price Index · Inflation · 8:30 AM ET
Personal consumption expenditures prices — the Fed's preferred inflation gauge — released with personal income and spending, typically near month-end.
Why it matters: Often partly anticipated after CPI and PPI, but core PCE surprises still matter for rate expectations.
Producer Price Index (PPI) · Inflation · 8:30 AM ET
Prices received by producers. Usually released around the same week as CPI; shown the day after the example CPI date.
Why it matters: An input to inflation expectations and to some PCE components.
Retail Sales · Consumer · 8:30 AM ET
Monthly change in retail and food-services sales. Typically mid-month.
Why it matters: Consumer spending is the largest part of the US economy; big surprises shift growth expectations.
GDP (Advance Estimate) · Growth · 8:30 AM ET
First estimate of quarterly economic growth, released about a month after the quarter ends.
Why it matters: The headline measure of growth. Revisions follow in the next two months.
ISM Manufacturing PMI · Manufacturing · 10:00 AM ET
Survey of purchasing managers in manufacturing, released on the first business day of the month. Above 50 signals expansion.
Why it matters: A timely read on the business cycle, with a prices-paid component watched for inflation.
Moderate
Initial Jobless Claims · Labor · 8:30 AM ET
Weekly count of new unemployment-insurance claims, every Thursday.
Why it matters: The highest-frequency labour data. Usually modest impact unless the trend is shifting.
JOLTS Job Openings · Labor · 10:00 AM ET
Job openings, hires and quits for the month before last. Shown on the first Tuesday as an example.
Why it matters: A read on labour demand that can move rate expectations ahead of payrolls.
ISM Services PMI · Growth · 10:00 AM ET
Survey of purchasing managers in services, released on the third business day of the month.
Why it matters: Services dominate the US economy; the prices component is watched for sticky inflation.
Consumer Sentiment (Prelim.) · Consumer · 10:00 AM ET
University of Michigan survey of consumer attitudes, including inflation expectations. Preliminary reading mid-month.
Why it matters: Inflation-expectation components occasionally move rates and index futures.
Low–Moderate
Durable Goods Orders · Manufacturing · 8:30 AM ET
New orders for long-lasting manufactured goods. Volatile month to month because of aircraft orders.
Why it matters: The core measure (ex-transportation) is a read on business investment.
Housing Starts · Growth · 8:30 AM ET
New residential construction started during the month.
Why it matters: Rate-sensitive sector; usually limited impact on index futures.
Industrial Production · Manufacturing · 9:15 AM ET
Output of factories, mines and utilities.
Why it matters: Confirms trends seen in the ISM surveys; rarely a big mover alone.
No Market Impact
Fed Beige Book · Policy · 2:00 PM ET
Anecdotal summary of economic conditions from the twelve Federal Reserve districts, published eight times a year. Dates here are examples.
Why it matters: Useful background reading; typically little immediate price impact.
Monthly Treasury Statement · Policy · 2:00 PM ET
The US government's monthly receipts, outlays and deficit.
Why it matters: Context for Treasury supply; rarely moves index futures on release.