Macro Events

Economic Calendar

Major recurring macro events every trader needs to know. Click any event for a deep AI-powered explanation.

Why macro matters: Economic data releases move markets more than most traders realize. A single CPI print can add or erase $1T+ in market cap. Understanding these events helps you avoid being caught on the wrong side of a big move, and positions you to trade the reaction intelligently.
FOMC Meeting & Rate Decision
Federal Reserve🔴 High
The Federal Reserve announces interest rate decisions. Markets move sharply on surprises. Watch for Fed Chair press conference after.
Schedule: Every 6-8 weeks · Click for AI deep dive →
CPI (Consumer Price Index)
Inflation🔴 High
Measures inflation at the consumer level. The most market-moving economic report. Higher than expected = bearish stocks, rates rise. Lower = bullish.
Schedule: Monthly (2nd week) · Click for AI deep dive →
Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
Employment🔴 High
Monthly jobs report. Strong jobs = Fed hikes rates = bearish bonds, sometimes stocks. Weak jobs = Fed cuts = bullish risk assets. Published first Friday of each month.
Schedule: First Friday monthly · Click for AI deep dive →
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
Growth🟡 Med
Measures total economic output. Q/Q and Y/Y comparisons matter. Two negative quarters = recession. Markets watch advance vs revised estimates.
Schedule: Quarterly · Click for AI deep dive →
PPI (Producer Price Index)
Inflation🟡 Med
Inflation at the wholesale level — leading indicator for CPI. If PPI is hot, CPI usually follows. Released about a week before CPI each month.
Schedule: Monthly (1st week) · Click for AI deep dive →
Retail Sales
Consumer🟡 Med
How much consumers are spending. Drives 70% of US GDP. Strong retail sales = healthy economy. Watch core retail sales (ex-autos) for cleaner signal.
Schedule: Monthly (mid-month) · Click for AI deep dive →
Initial Jobless Claims
Employment🟢 Low
Weekly count of new unemployment insurance claims. High claims = weakening labor market. Low claims = tight labor. Released every Thursday at 8:30 AM ET.
Schedule: Every Thursday · Click for AI deep dive →
ISM Manufacturing PMI
Manufacturing🟡 Med
Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing. Above 50 = expansion, below 50 = contraction. First business day of each month. Often triggers early morning moves.
Schedule: First business day monthly · Click for AI deep dive →
ISM Services PMI
Services🟡 Med
Services version of PMI — more important since services are 80% of US economy. Released 3rd business day of each month. Surprises here move markets more than manufacturing PMI.
Schedule: 3rd business day monthly · Click for AI deep dive →
Fed Chair Congressional Testimony
Federal Reserve🟡 Med
Twice yearly, the Fed Chair testifies before Congress. Markets listen for any rate policy hints. Can create volatility if language differs from recent meeting minutes.
Schedule: Twice yearly (Feb & Jun) · Click for AI deep dive →
Earnings Season
Corporate🔴 High
4x per year, most S&P 500 companies report results. Big Tech (AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, GOOGL, META, AMZN) reports drive entire market. IV on individual stocks spikes beforehand.
Schedule: Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct · Click for AI deep dive →
JOLTS (Job Openings)
Employment🟢 Low
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. A lagging indicator of labor demand. The quit rate is worth watching — workers quit when they have options, a sign of confidence.
Schedule: Monthly (6-week lag) · Click for AI deep dive →