01:50
|
Trade Balance
|
Feb |
235.3bln; -1758.3bln |
-850.0bln; -810.2bln |
|
Low
|
The difference between the total value of exports and the total value of imports. A positive figure indicates a trade surplus while a negative value represents a trade deficit. Because Japan 's economy is highly export-led, trade data can give critical insight into developments in Japan 's economy and changes into foreign exchange rates.
A surplus reflects capital flowing into Japan in exchange for Japanese exports, and a deficit means that capital is flowing out of Japan as imports are purchased in larger volumes by Japanese consumers. A trade surplus will act as an appreciating weight on the Yen, whereas a trade deficit will place downward pressure on the Yen's value.
Details in the Trade Balance report itself give useful insight into changing trends regarding Japanese trade. Such developments are especially important for the country, which is an export-oriented economy that has historically experienced large trade surpluses. Any affect on this could have dramatic affect on the domestic economy.
The headline figure for trade balance is expressed in millions of Yen and usually accompanied by a year-on-year percentage change figure.
02:30
|
PMI Manufacturing
|
Mar |
47.2 |
47.5 |
|
Low
|
A monthly gauge of manufacturing activity and future outlook. The CIPS PMI is comparable to the US ISM survey, similarly based on the opinions of executives in manufacturing companies. Purchasing managers are tasked with gauging future demand, and adjusting orders for materials accordingly. The PMI summarizes the opinions of these executives to give a picture of the future of the manufacturing sector. A higher PMI indicates that materials purchases are increasing and that the economic outlook is positive. Alternately, a lower PMI means orders for materials are down and the future outlook is less favorable. By nature, the figure is very sensitive to the business cycle and tends to match growth or decline in the economy as a whole.
The PMI is presented as an index with a value between 1-100.
02:30
|
Tertiary Industry Index
|
Mar |
52.9 |
53.4 |
|
Low
|
Evaluates the monthly change in output produced by Japan's service sector. Because this report excludes manufacturing and only measures service industries catering mainly to domestic needs, the Tertiary Industry Index is a key indicator of domestic activity. The index incorporates data from firms involved in wholesale and retail trade, financial services, health care, real estate, leisure and utilities. The report excludes industrial manufacturing sectors that tend to be influenced by foreign demand. The tertiary industry index is posted monthly as a percentage change from the previous month's figure.
02:30
|
PMI Composite
|
Mar |
50.6 |
50.9 |
|
Low
|
An index level of 50 denotes no change since the previous month, while a level above 50 signals an increase or improvement, and below 50 indicates a decrease or deterioration.
02:30
|
Unemployment Rate
|
Feb |
4.1% |
4.0% |
|
High
|
The percentage of individuals in the labor force who are without a job but actively seeking one. A higher Unemployment Rate is generally a drain on the economy. Not only does it mean that resources are not being fully utilized, but it also results in lower consumer spending as there are fewer workers receiving paychecks.
Note: The unemployment rate generally moves slowly, so changes of only a few tenths of a percent are still considered significant. Also note that the unemployment rate does not account for discouraged workers. Therefore, in an economically depressed environment, such as that which occurred in Cold War era East Germany, the Unemployment Rate may not accurately reflect the extent of problems.
02:30
|
Employment Change
|
Feb |
0.5K |
40.2K |
|
High
|
Tracks the number of the employed in Australia . The figure appears in the monthly Labour Force Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A surge in new employment suggests higher spending potential and budding inflation pressures, which the RBA often counters with rate increases.
The headline figure is the annualized percentage change in employed workers.
02:30
|
Part Time Employment Change
|
Feb |
11.1K; -10.6K |
|
|
Medium
|
Modern award usually defines a part-time employee as an employee who is engaged to work less than an average of 38 ordinary hours per week and whose hours of work are reasonably predictable, with a guaranteed minimum number of hours of work. Work is usually performed on regular days of the week. A part-time employee will usually be entitled to the same employment conditions as a full-time employee, but on a pro rata basis compared to the full-time hours (usually 38 per week) prescribed under the applicable industrial instrument.
02:30
|
Participation Rate
|
Feb |
66.8% |
66.8% |
|
Low
|
A measure of the active portion of an economy's labor force. The participation rate refers to the number of people who are either employed or are actively looking for work. The number of people who are no longer actively searching for work would not be included in the participation rate. During an economic recession, many workers often get discouraged and stop looking for employment, as a result, the participation rate decreases.
04:00
|
Credit Card Spending
|
Feb |
-0.5%; -0.3% |
; 0.8% |
|
Low
|
Shows a change in the total expenditure made via credit cards.
09:00
|
Public Sector Net Borrowing
|
Feb |
-17.6bln; -16.7bln |
5.2bln; 5.9bln |
|
Low
|
In the U.K., the amount of expenditures less the total receipts taken in by the government. Public sector net borrowing is the measure of fiscal surpluses and deficits along with the amount of new debt created. If this number is positive, it means the U.K. is running a fiscal deficit, while a negative number represents a fiscal surplus.
10:15
|
PMI Manufacturing
|
Mar |
47.1 |
47.3 |
|
Medium
|
A monthly guage of manufacturing activity and future outlook. The CIPS PMI is comparable to the US ISM survey, similarly based on the opinions of executives in manufacturing companies. Purchasing managers are tasked with gauging future demand, and adjusting orders for materials accordingly. The PMI summarizes the opinions of these executives to give a picture of the future of the manufacturing sector. A higher PMI indicates that materials purchases are increasing and that the economic outlook is positive. Alternately, a lower PMI means orders for materials are down and the future outlook is less favorable. By nature, the figure is very sensitive to the business cycle and tends to match growth or decline in the economy as a whole.
The PMI is presented as an index with a value between 1-100.
10:15
|
PMI Services
|
Mar |
48.4 |
48.8 |
|
Medium
|
Gauge for the overall performance of the country's service sector. The Services PMI interviews executives on the status of sales, employment, and their outlook. Because the performance of the country's service sector is extremely consistent over time, services does not impact final GDP figures as much as the more volatile figure on the manufacturing sector. For this reason Services PMI usually causes little market movement. The survey results are quantified and presented as an index on a 1-100 scale. The headline figure is the percentage change in the index.
10:15
|
Composite PMI
|
Mar |
48.1 |
48.8 |
|
Medium
|
An index level of 50 denotes no change since the previous month, while a level above 50 signals an increase or improvement, and below 50 indicates a decrease or deterioration.
10:30
|
PMI Manufacturing
|
Mar |
42.5 |
43.1 |
|
Medium
|
Gauge for overall performance of the German manufacturing sector. Through asking executives about sales and employment outlook, the survey strives to provide useful information about the business climate that can lead to developments in employment, output and consumption. The PMI survey results are the result of interviews with business executives. Manufacturing is an important sector in Germany , which is why changes in Manufacturing PMI can provide a good indicator to the overall economic condition in Germany as well as Euro-zone. However, despite the timeliness of the report, Manufacturing PMI is not a big market mover.
The survey results are quantified into index where 0 represents long term manufacturing business conditions. The headline figure is expressed in percentage change.
10:30
|
PMI Services
|
Mar |
48.3 |
48.8 |
|
Medium
|
Gauge for the overall performance of the German service sector. The Services PMI interviews German executives on the status of sales, employment, and their outlook. Because the performance of the German service sector is extremely consistent over time, services does not impact final GDP figures as much as the more volatile figure on the manufacturing sector. For this reason Services PMI usually causes little market movement. The survey results are quantified and presented as an index on a 1-100 scale. The headline figure is the percentage change in the index.
10:30
|
Composite PMI
|
Mar |
46.3 |
46.8 |
|
Medium
|
An index level of 50 denotes no change since the previous month, while a level above 50 signals an increase or improvement, and below 50 indicates a decrease or deterioration.
10:30
|
SNB Basic Interest Rate
|
Mar |
1.75% |
1.75% |
|
High
|
The National Bank of Switzerland introduced a new key rate, abandoning its binding to Libor. One of the most important indicators for currency. Rising rates or even the intention to tighten policies contribute to the growth of the currency.
10:30
|
SNB Monetary Policy Assessment
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
It's the primary tool the SNB Governing Board uses to communicate with investors about monetary policy. It contains the outcome of their decision on interest rates and commentary about the economic conditions that influenced their decision. Most importantly, it projects the economic outlook and offers clues on the outcome of future rate decisions.
11:00
|
SNB Press Conference
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
Press Conference SNB takes half an hour after the decision on the bet. Speech may contain unexpected declarations that move markets, but the main remarks solutions will be available a bit earlier during the announcement of the rate decision.
11:00
|
PMI Manufacturing
|
Mar |
46.5 |
47.0 |
|
Medium
|
The Euro-zone Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) assesses business conditions in the manufacturing sector. Because the manufacturing sector represents nearly a quarter of total Euro-zone GDP, the Euro-zone Manufacturing PMI is both a significant and timely indicator of business conditions and the general health of the economy. Results are quantified in an index in which values above 50 indicate an expected increase of business conditions and values below 50 signal an expected deterioration.
11:00
|
PMI Services
|
Mar |
50.2 |
50.5 |
|
Medium
|
Gauge for the overall performance of the German service sector. The Services PMI interviews German executives on the status of sales, employment, and their outlook. Because the performance of the German service sector is extremely consistent over time, services does not impact final GDP figures as much as the more volatile figure on the manufacturing sector. For this reason Services PMI usually causes little market movement. The survey results are quantified and presented as an index on a 1-100 scale. The headline figure is the percentage change in the index.
11:00
|
Composite PMI
|
Mar |
49.2 |
49.7 |
|
Medium
|
The Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) assesses business conditions in manufacturing, construction and service sectors. The Eurozone PMI is both a significant and timely indicator of business conditions and the general health of the economy. Close correlation with the business cycle, assessed on the basis of long-term statistical data, allows to use the PMI indicator for prognosis of future GDP volumes. The PMI indices are based on selected panels of executives in companies who report each month on real events. The subindex of intangibles sector - PMI services - is of more importance because in industrialized countries around 70% of GDP is generated in non-manufacturing sector.
11:00
|
Current Account (sa)
|
Jan |
31.9bln; 42.7bln |
32.3bln; 15.0bln |
|
Low
|
The Current Account summarizes the flow of goods, services, income and transfer payments into and out of the country. The report acts as a line-item record of how the domestic economy interacts with rest of the world. The Current Account is one of the three components that make up a country's Balance of Payments (Financial Account, Capital Account and Current Account), the detailed accounting of all international interactions. Where the other side of the Balance of Payments, Capital and Financial Accounts deal mainly with financial assets and investments, the Current Account gives a detailed breakdown of how the country intermingles with rest of the global economy on a non-investment basis - tracking good and services.
11:00
|
ECB Economic Bulletin
|
|
|
|
|
Low
|
In 2015 the Economic Bulletin replaced the Monthly Bulletin. The Economic Bulletin is published two weeks after the monetary policy meeting of the Governing Council of the ECB. Issues published after the monetary policy meetings in March, June, September and December provide a comprehensive analysis of economic and monetary developments, including a discussion of the Eurosystem/ECB staff macroeconomic projections for the euro area. Other issues are shorter and provide an interim update on developments in key monthly indicators.
11:30
|
PMI Manufacturing
|
Mar |
47.5 |
47.9 |
|
Medium
|
A monthly gauge of manufacturing activity and future outlook. It is comparable to the US ISM survey, similarly based on the opinions of executives in manufacturing companies. Purchasing managers are tasked with gauging future demand and adjusting orders for materials accordingly. The PMI summarizes the opinions of these executives to give a picture of the future of the manufacturing sector. A higher PMI indicates that materials purchases are increasing and that the economic outlook is positive. Alternately, a lower PMI means orders for materials are down and the future outlook is less favorable. By nature, the figure is very sensitive to the business cycle and tends to match growth or decline in the economy as a whole.
The PMI is presented as an index with a value between 1-100.
11:30
|
PMI Services
|
Mar |
53.8 |
53.8 |
|
Medium
|
A monthly gauge of the UK service sector that takes into account business outlook. The survey queries executives in transport and communications, financial intermediation, business services, personal services, computing and IT, hotels and restaurants.
Purchasing managers are tasked with gauging future demand, and adjusting orders for materials accordingly. The PMI summarizes the opinions of these executives to give a picture of the future of the service sector. A higher PMI indicates that materials purchases are increasing and that the economic outlook is positive. Alternately, a lower PMI means orders for materials are down and the future outlook is less favorable. By nature, the figure is very sensitive to the business cycle and tends to match growth or decline in the economy as a whole.
Because the contribution services makes to the economy tends to be very consistent and predictable, Services PMI figures typically do not move markets
The PMI is presented as an index with a value between 1-100.
11:30
|
Composite PMI
|
Mar |
53.0 |
53.3 |
|
Medium
|
An index level of 50 denotes no change since the previous month, while a level above 50 signals an increase or improvement, and below 50 indicates a decrease or deterioration.
11:30
|
10-y Bond Auction
|
Mar |
3.162%; 2.22 |
|
|
Low
|
10-y Bond Auction is a leading market demand and profitability indicator. Profit falls compared to the previous auctions generally have a favourable influence on the currency.
11:30
|
30-Year Bonds Auction
|
Mar |
3.693%; 1.73 |
|
|
Low
|
Bonds with the longest maturity.
13:00
|
Bundesbank Monthly Report
|
|
|
|
|
Low
|
Market impact tends to be greater when the report reveals a viewpoint that clashes with the ECB's stance. It contains relevant articles, speeches, statistical tables, and provides detailed analysis of current and future economic conditions from the bank's viewpoint.
14:00
|
BoE Interest Rate Decision
|
Mar |
5.25% |
5.25% |
|
High
|
The announcement of whether the Bank of England has increased, decreased or maintained the key interest rate. The BoE meets monthly to decide on monetary policy. After each meeting policy decisions are announced. The main task of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee is to set the monetary stance by fixing the overnight borrowing rate, which is incremental in determining the short-term rates. Through this mechanism, the BoE attempts to affect price levels in order to keep inflation within the target range while maintaining stable economic growth and employment.
The BOE Rate decision has great influence on financial markets. Changes in rates affect interest rates for consumer loans, mortgages, bond, and the exchange rate of the pound. Increases in rates or even expectations of increases tend to cause the pound to appreciate, while rate decreases cause the currency to depreciate.
14:00
|
MPC Official Bank Rate Votes
|
Mar |
2-1-6 |
0-1-8 |
|
High
|
This indicator shows how the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee voted. Published monthly, 13 days after the decision on interest rate was announced
14:00
|
Monetary Policy Summary
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
It's among the primary tools the MPC uses to communicate with investors about monetary policy. It contains the outcome of their vote on interest rates and other policy measures, along with commentary about the economic conditions that influenced their votes. Most importantly, it discusses the economic outlook and offers clues on the outcome of future votes.
14:30
|
New Housing Price Index
|
Feb |
-0.1%; -0.7% |
0.1%; -0.5% |
|
Low
|
A component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) that measures changes in prices for new homes. Higher housing prices suggest stronger consumer demand and growth in the housing market. At the same time, higher housing prices that accompany economic expansion often lead to inflationary pressures. The headline number is the percentage change in the index.
Note: The New Housing Price Index takes into account the quality and features of the new homes sold. For example, if selling prices for new homes are unchanged, but the features and quality of housing have increased (e.g. added swimming pool and better construction materials), then the price for new homes is considered to have fallen.
14:30
|
Unemployment Claims
|
Mar |
209K |
214K |
|
Medium
|
The indicator shows the number of unemployed people in the USA.
14:30
|
Continuing Claims
|
Mar |
1811K |
1815K |
|
Medium
|
Continuing claims refers to unemployed workers that qualify for benefits under unemployment insurance. In order to be included in continuing claims, the person must have been covered by unemployment insurance and be currently receiving benefits. Data on unemployment claims is published by the Department of Labor on a weekly basis, allowing for frequent updates on the levels of unemployment.
14:30
|
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
|
Mar |
5.2 |
-1.8 |
|
Medium
|
It is a survey conducted by the Philadelphia Fed questioning manufacturers in the Third Federal Reserve District on general business conditions. Conducted since 1968, the "Philly Fed" survey is an established report, valued for its timeliness, scope of coverage and tendency to forecast developments in the market moving ISM Manufacturing figure.
Higher Philadelphia Fed Survey figures indicate a positive outlook from manufacturers suggesting increased production. Higher production contributes to economic growth, which is generally bullish for the dollar.
Results are calculated as the difference between percentage of positive and negative scores; zero acts as the centerline point.
14:30
|
Current Account
|
4 quarter |
-200.3 |
-209.0 |
|
Low
|
The Current Account index measures the difference in value between exported and imported goods, services and interest payments during the reported month. The goods portion is the same as the monthly Trade Balance figure. Because foreigners must buy the domestic currency to pay for the nation's exports the data can have a sizable affect on the USD.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.
15:45
|
ISM Manufacturing
|
Mar |
52.2 |
51.8 |
|
Medium
|
A monthly index released by the Institute of Supply Management which tracks the amount of manufacturing activity that occurred in the previous month.ISM Manufacuring assesses the state of US industry by surveying executives on expectations for future production, new orders, inventories, employment and deliveries. This data is considered a very important and trusted economic measure. If the index has a value below 50, due to a decrease in activity, it tends to indicate an economic recession, especially if the trend continues over several months. A value substantially above 50 likely indicates a time of economic growth. The values for the index can be between 0 and 100.
Values over 50 generally indicate an expansion, while values below 50 indicate contraction.
15:45
|
Final Services PMI
|
Mar |
52.3 |
52.0 |
|
Medium
|
It's a leading indicator of economic health - businesses react quickly to market conditions, and their purchasing managers hold perhaps the most current and relevant insight into the company's view of the economy.
Above 50.0 indicates industry expansion, below indicates contraction. The 'Previous' listed is the 'Actual' from the Flash release and therefore the 'History' data will appear unconnected. There are 2 versions of this report released about a week apart – Flash and Final. The Flash release is the earliest and thus tends to have the most impact.
15:45
|
Composite PMI
|
Mar |
52.5 |
51.5 |
|
Medium
|
An index level of 50 denotes no change since the previous month, while a level above 50 signals an increase or improvement, and below 50 indicates a decrease or deterioration.
16:00
|
Existing Home Sales
|
Feb |
4.00M; 3.1% |
3.92M; -2.5% |
|
Medium
|
Records sales of previously owned homes in the United States . This report provides a fairly accurate assessment of housing market conditions, and because of the sensitivity of the housing market to business cycle twists, it can be an important indicator of overall conditions at times when housing is particularly important to the economy.
While used home sales are not counted in GDP, they do affect the United States economy. Sellers of used homes often use capital gains from property sales on consumption that stimulate the economy. Higher levels of consumer spending may also increase inflationary pressures, even as they help grow the economy.
The existing home sales report is not as timely as other housing indicators like New Home Sales or Building Permits. By the time the Existing Home Sales are recorded, market conditions may have changed.
The headline is the total value of properties sold.
16:00
|
Leading Index
|
Feb |
102.7; -0.4% |
; -0.2% |
|
Low
|
The Index includes account inventory ratios, machinery orders, stock prices and other leading economic indicators. As the aggregate of many leading indices the Leading Economic Index provides a forecast of the future state of the domestic economy and is thought to predict activity that will occur 6-9 months after the reporting period.
The index operates on a 1-100 scale, where a value lower than 50 means that most indictors are negative and a value higher than 50 means most indicators are positive. In both cases a greater distance from the midpoint (50) means that the indicators are more strongly positive or negative.
16:30
|
EIA Natural Gas Storage Change
|
Mar |
-9 |
|
|
Low
|
Weekly report about natural gas storage change in the USA.
23:45
|
Trade Balance
|
Feb |
-976M; -12496M |
-825M |
|
Medium
|
A country's trade balance reflects the difference between exports and imports of goods and services. The trade balance is one of the biggest components of the Balance of Payment, giving valuable insight into pressures on country's currency.
Surpluses and Deficits
A positive Trade Balance (surplus) indicates that exports are greater than imports. When imports exceed exports, the country experiences a trade deficit. Because foreign goods are usually purchased using foreign currency, trade deficits usually reflect currency leaking out of the country. Such currency outflows may lead to a natural depreciation unless countered by comparable capital inflows (inflows in the form of investments, FDI - where foreigners investing in local equity, bond or real estates markets). At a bare minimum, deficits fundamentally weigh down the value of the currency.
Ramifications of Trade Balance on Markets
There are a number of factors that work to diminish the market impact of Trade Balance upon immediate release. The report is not very timely, coming some time after the reporting period. Developments in many of the figure's components are also typically anticipated well beforehand. Lastly, since the report reflects data for a specific reporting month or quarter, any significant changes in the Trade Balance should plausibly have already been felt during that period - and not during the release of data.
However, because of the overall significance of Trade Balance data in forecasting trends in the Forex Market, the release has historically been one of the most important reports out of the any country.