The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes are a detailed record of the bank's most recent policy-setting meeting, containing in-depth insights into the economic conditions that influenced the rate decision.
More dovish than expected minutes could be taken as negative/bearish for the AUD, while more hawkish than expected minutes could be taken as positive/bullish for the AUD.
The Leading Indicators Index is a composite index based on 12 economic indicators, that is designed to predict the future direction of the economy.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the JPY, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the JPY.
The definition for an unemployed person is: Persons (16-65 years) who were available for work (except for temporary illness) but did not work during the survey week, and who made specific efforts to find a job within the previous 4 weeks by going to an employment agency, by applying directly to an employer, by answering a job ad, or being on a union or professional register.The unemployment rate represents the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force. The unemployment rate for a particular age/sex group is the number of unemployed in that group expressed as a percentage of the labour force for that group. A higher than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR.
Japan's Composite index of coincident indicators measures current economic
conditions. For the main purpose of measuring the amplitude of the fluctuations
of economic activities, the composite indexes are constructed by aggregating the
percentage changes of the selected series. They are represented with the average
of their 1995 values as 100.
The coincident index consists of the following components:
- Index of industrial production (mining and manufacturing);
- Index of consumption of raw materials (manufacturing);
- Large industrial power consumption;
- Index of capacity utilization ratio (manufacturing);
- Index of non-scheduled worked hours;
- Index of producer's shipment (investment goods);
- Sales at department stores (percent change from the previous year);
- Index of sales in wholesale trade (percent change from the previous year);
- Operating profits (all industries);
- Index of sales in small and medium sized enterprises (manufacturing);
- Effective job offer rate (excluding new school graduates).
The Leading Indicators Index is a composite index based on 12 economic indicators, that is designed to predict the future direction of the economy.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the JPY, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the JPY.
Measures the change in the price of goods and services purchased by consumers, excluding food and energy. The BoJ usually pays more attention to the core inflation data.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the broadest measure of economic activity and is a key indicator of economic health.
The quarterly percent changes in GDP show the growth rate of the economy as a whole.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
LFS- Labour Force Survey. Three-months moving average. Employed persons are persons aged 16-74 who performed work for pay or profit for at least one hour in the survey week, or who were temporarily absent from work because of illness,holidays etc. Conscripts are classified as employed persons. Persons engaged by government measures to promote employment are also included if they receive wages. Unemployed persons are persons who were not employed in the survey week,but who had been seeking work during the preceding four weeks, and were available for work within the next two weeks. Persons in the labour force are either employed or unemployed. The remaining group of persons is labelled not in the labour force. Unemployed persons and persons not in the labour force constitute the group non-employed persons.A higher than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the NOK , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the NOK.
Retail sales data represents total consumer purchase from retail stores. It provides valuable information about consumer spending which makes up the consumption part of GDP.A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the DKK , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the DKK.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the broadest measure of economic activity and is a key indicator of economic health.
The quarterly percent changes in GDP show the growth rate of the economy as a whole.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
French Consumer Confidence measures the level of consumer confidence in economic activity. It is a leading indicator as it can predict consumer spending, which plays a major role in overall economic activity. Higher readings point to higher consumer optimism.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures the change in the price of goods sold by manufacturers. It is a leading indicator of consumer price inflation, which accounts for the majority of overall inflation.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR,
while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
The Leading Indicators Index is a composite index based on 10 economic indicators, that is designed to predict the future direction of the economy. The report tends to have a limited impact because most of the indicators used in the calculation are released previously.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the CAD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the CAD.
The unemployment rate represents the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force. The unemployment rate for a particular age/sex group is the number of unemployed in that group expressed as a percentage of the labour force for that group. The Central Statistical Office, GUS, revised its jobless figures starting in December 2003, after a national census showed a drop in the number of people employed in agriculture.A higher than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the PLN , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the PLN.
The German Ifo Business Climate Index rates the current German business climate and measures expectations for the next six months. It is a composite index based on a survey of manufacturers, builders, wholesalers and retailers. The index is compiled by the Ifo Institute for Economic Research.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
The German Current Assessment rates current business conditions in Germany, without considering future expectations. It is a sub-index of the German Ifo Business Climate Index.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
German Business Expectations rates the expectations of businesses in Germany for the following six months. It is is a sub-index of the German Ifo Business Climate Index.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
Industrial Production measures the change in the total inflation-adjusted value of output produced by manufacturers, mines, and utilities.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the TWD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the TWD.
The Trade Balance measures the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services over the reported period. A positive number indicates that more goods and services were exported than imported.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the HKD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the HKD.
Exports of goods and services consist of transactions in goods and services (sales, barter, gifts or grants) from residents to non-residents. Exports free on board (f.o.b.) and imports cost insurance freight (c.i.f.) are, in general, customs statistics reported under the general trade statistics according to the recommendations of the UN International Trade Statistics.
A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the HKD, while a lower than expected number as negative.
Exports free on board (f.o.b.) and Imports cost insurance freight (c.i.f.) are, in general, customs statistics reported under the general trade statistics according to the recommendations of the UN International Trade Statistics. For some countries Imports are reported as f.o.b. instead of c.i.f. which is generally accepted. When reporting Imports as f.o.b. you will have the effect of reducing the value of Imports by the amount of the cost of insurance and freight.
A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the HKD, while a lower than expected number as negative.
The figures displayed in the calendar represent the average yield on the Schatz note auctioned.
German Schatz notes have maturities of two years. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital.
The yield on the Schatz represents the return an investor will receive by holding the treasury for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid.
Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.
FGV Consumer confidence is based on surveys which are sent to citizens which rate their opinion on different issues concerning future and current conditions.The Consumer Expectations Survey produces indicators about consumer sentiment, such as: decisions about saving accounts and future expenses; pointers to the short-term path of the economy; evaluations and expectations about the local economic situation; the financial situation of the family, work prospects, and intention to purchase durable goods; Consumer`s Trust Index, Present Situation, and Expectations Index. A stronger than expected figure should be taken as a bullish signal to the BRL while a weaker than expected figure as bearish to the BRL.
The Hungarian National Bank Monetary Policy Committee's decision on where to set the benchmark interest rate. Traders watch interest rate changes closely as short term interest rates are the primary factor in currency valuation.
A higher than expected rate is positive/bullish for the HUF, while a lower than expected rate is negative/bearish for the HUF.
The ADP weekly report provides the change in private sector employment, offering the most current view of the labor market based on ADP's fine-grained, high-frequency data. Traders often consider employment figures from ADP, America's largest payrolls provider, as the harbringer of the Bureau of Labor Statistics release of Nonfarm Payrolls.
This data is released by Automatic Data Processing Inc, provides a four-week moving average of the latest total private-employment change in the US. Generally, a rise in the indicator has positive implications for consumer spending and is simulative of economic growth. Therefore, a high reading is traditionally seen as bullish for the US Dollar (USD), while a low reading is seen as bearish.
Building Permits measures the change in the number of new building permits issued by the government. Building permits are a key indicator of demand in the housing market.
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.
Wholesale Sales measures the change in the total value of sales at the wholesale level. It is a leading indicator of consumer spending.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the CAD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the CAD.
Building Permits is a report closely watched by economists and investors alike. Since all related factors associated with the construction of a building are important economic activities (for example, financing and employment), the building permit report can give a major hint as to the state of the economy in the near future. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.
The Redbook Index is a sales-weighted of year-over-year same-store sales growth in a sample of large US general merchandise retailers representing about 9,000 stores. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.
The House Price Index (HPI) is a broad measure of the movement of single-family house prices, with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This report helps to analyze the strength of the US housing market, which helps to analysis the economy as a whole.
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.
The S&P/Case-Shiller House Price Index measures the change in the selling price of single-family homes in 20 metropolitan areas.
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.
The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) Business Climate Index measures the change in the level of confidence in business conditions. On the index, a level above zero indicates improving conditions, below indicates worsening conditions. The data is compiled from a survey of about 6,000 businesses which asks respondents to rate the current level of business conditions and expectations for the following six months.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
The HPI is published by OFHEO using data provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. House price index is a statistic designed to reflect the average change of house prices across the country or a certain area. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative
The Case-Shiller index prices are measured monthly and tracks repeat sales of houses using a modified version of the weighted-repeat sales methodology proposed by Karl Case and Robert Shiller and Allan Weiss. This means that, to a large extent, it is able to adjust for the quality of the homes sold, unlike simple averages. As a monthly tracking index, Case-Shiller Index has long lag time. Typically, it takes about 2 months for S&P to publish the results, as opposed to 1 month for most other monthly indices and indicators. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.
OFHEO's House Price Index (HPI) is a measure designed to capture changes in the value of single-family homes in the U.S. as a whole, in various regions of the country. The HPI is published by OFHEO using data provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. House price index is a statistic designed to reflect the average change of house prices across the country or a certain area. It ensures that the relative importance of different property types in different regions remains fixed throughout the life of the index. Different adjustment must be used as no two houses are identical. Therefore characteristics such as physical attributes of a house or its location should be included in the calculation if the index. Rising house prices are likely to increase consumer confidence and consumer spending which lead to rising aggregate demand. This can have two effects. On one hand it causes higher economic growth. However, on the other hand, it might contribute to inflation. Increased consumer spending is usually aimed at imported goods thus higher house prices cause current account deficit.
House price index is a statistic designed to reflect the average change of house prices across the country or a certain area.It ensures that the relative importance of different property types in different regions remains fixed throughout the life of the index.Different adjustment must be used as no two houses are identical. Therefore characteristics such as physical attributes of a house or its location should be included in the calculation if the index. Rising house prices are likely to increase consumer confidence and consumer spending which lead to rising aggregate demand. This can have two effects. On one hand it causes higher economic growth. However, on the other hand, it might contribute to inflation. Increased consumer spending is usually aimed at imported goods thus higher house prices cause current account deficit.
Conference Board (CB) Consumer Confidence measures the level of consumer confidence in economic activity.
It is a leading indicator as it can predict consumer spending, which plays a major role in overall economic activity. Higher readings point to higher consumer optimism.
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.
New Home Sales measures the annualized number of new single-family homes that were sold during the previous month. This report tends to have more impact when it's released ahead of Existing Home Sales because the reports are tightly correlated.
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.
The Richmond Manufacturing Index rates the relative level of business conditions including shipments, new orders, and employment. A level above zero on the index indicates improving conditions; below indicates worsening conditions. The data is compiled from a survey of about 100 manufacturers in the Richmond area.
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.
New Home Sales measures the change in percenatge of the new home sales, A new home sale is considered to be any deposit or contract signing either in the year the house was built or the year after it was built. A strong number would indicate a strong housing activity, and therefore a strong economy. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative
The Survey of Fifth District Manufacturing Activity - Business activity index. All firms surveyed are located within the Fifth Federal Reserve District, which includes the District of Columbia,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Most of West Virginia.
Each index equals the precentage reporting increase minus the percentage reporting decrease.
The Survey of Fifth District Manufacturing Activity - Business activity index. All firms surveyed are located within the Fifth Federal Reserve District, which includes the District of Columbia,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Most of West Virginia.
Each index equals the precentage reporting increase minus the percentage reporting decrease.
Current account records the values of the following:
- trade balance exports and imports of goods and services
- income payments and expenditure interest, dividends, salaries
- unilateral transfers aid, taxes, one-way gifts
It shows how a country deals with the global economy on a non-investment basis.
Positive current account balance is when inflows from its components into the country exceed outflows of the capital leaving the country. Current account surplus may strengthen the demand for local currency. Persistent deficit may lead to a depreciation of a currency.
Current account records the values of the following:
- trade balance exports and imports of goods and services
- income payments and expenditure interest, dividends, salaries
- unilateral transfers aid, taxes, one-way gifts It shows how a country deals with the global economy on a non-investment basis.
Positive current account balance is when inflows from its components into the country exceed outflows of the capital leaving the country. Current account surplus may strengthen the demand for local currency. Persistent deficit may lead to a depreciation of a currency.
US M2 Money Stock refers to the measure of money supply that includes financial assets held mainly by households. These include savings deposits, time deposits, and balances in retail money market mutual funds, in addition to more readily-available liquid financial assets as defined by the M1 measure of money, such as currency, traveler's checks, demand deposits, and other checkable deposits. The US M2 Money Stock is critical in understanding and forecasting money supply, inflation, and interest rates in the US. Historically, when the money supply dramatically increased in global economies, there would be a following dramatic increase in prices of goods and services, which would then follow monetary policy with the aim to maintain inflation levels low.
The American Petroleum Institute reports inventory levels of US crude oil, gasoline and distillates stocks. The figure shows how much oil and product is available in storage.The indicator gives an overview of US petroleum demand.
If the increase in crude inventories is more than expected, it implies weaker demand and is bearish for crude prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is less than expected.
If the increase in crude is less than expected, it implies greater demand and is bullish for crude prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is more than expected.
The figures displayed in the calendar represent the yield on the Treasury Note auctioned.
U.S. Treasury Notes have maturities of two to ten years. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital. The rate on a Treasury Note represents the return an investor will receive by holding the note for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid.
Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.
The Corporate Services Price Index (CSPI) measures the change in the price of goods sold by corporations. It is a leading indicator of consumer price inflation.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the JPY,
while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the JPY.
