USD High Impact

Current Account

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The trade balance, income payments and unilateral transfers.
Use: A positive trend is good for a nation's currency (USD).
Released: 08:30 ET, Quarterly
Data Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Trade Balance

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The difference between the value of exports and imports in the US.
Use: A positive Trade Balance is good for a currency (USD), especially if it has a rising trend.
Released: 08:30 ET, about the 10th of each month
Data Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Treasury International Capital (TIC)

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The monthly difference of cross-border transactions in long-term securities.
Use: If foreign investors are buying US securities they are increasing the demand for USD, because they need first to convert their own currency to USD. Thus a positive trend is good for a nation's currency (USD).
Released: 09:00 ET, about 15th of each month
Data Source: U.S. Treasury

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The market value of goods and services produced by labor and property in a country.
Use: A gauge for economic output. A positive trend means the economy is improving and this is good for a nation's currency (USD) and vice versa.
Released: Quarterly
Data Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

ISM Manufacturing Index

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The business activity level in the manufacturing sector.
Use: A monthly survey of purchasing managers in the manufacturing industry. A value over 50 indicates growth and vice versa. A positive trend is good for a nation's currency (USD).
Released: 10:00 ET, usually the first working day of each month
Data Source: Institute for Supply Management

Philadelphia Fed Index

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Business conditions of manufacturers in the Philadelphia Federal Reserve district.
Use: A monthly survey of manufacturers. A positive trend is indicative of a strong economy and is good for a nation's currency (USD). A value above 0 indicates a positive outlook and vice versa.
Released: 10:00 ET, about the 15th of each month
Data Source: Philadelphia Federal Reserve

Empire State Business Conditions Index

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Business conditions of manufacturers in New York State.
Use: A monthly survey of general business conditions. A positive trend is good for a nation's currency because good business conditions are indicative of a strong economy.
Released: 08:30 ET, middle of each month
Data Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Durable Goods Orders

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The value of orders placed for durable goods (i.e goods with an expected life over 3 years).
Use: A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because an increased level of purchase orders signals that manufacturers will be busy in the months to come as they work to fill the orders. Traders watch this indicator closely because of it's predictive abilities.
Released: 08:30 ET, about 25th of each month
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Consumer Confidence

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Consumer confidence in regard to the economic situation.
Use: A monthly survey that asks consumers to asses the prospects for the economy in the future. A positive trend and a value above 100 signifies a positive outlook among consumers and vice versa.
Released: 10:00 ET, about 28th of each month
Data Source: Conference Board

Consumer Sentiment Index

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Consumer confidence regarding the current and future situation.
Use: A monthly survey conducted by the University of Michigan. High or rising sentiment levels are indicative of increasing consumer spending and therefore good for a currency (USD).
Released: 10:00 ET, last working day in each month
Data Source: University of Michigan

Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, Core

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Price change or rate of inflation in regard to personal consumption, excluding Food and Energy
Use: Similar to Consumer Price Index (CPI). PCE only takes into account goods and services consumed by individuals.
Released: 08:30 ET, about 28th each month
Data Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Market Impact: High Impact

(core)
Measures: Rate of inflation or price change at consumer level.
Use: The CPI is the major indicator for inflation. If inflation exceeds about 2 % annually, the Fed will raise interest rate in order to bring down inflation. Higher interest rates attract foreign investors and thus the demand for USD.
Released: 08:30 ET, about the 13th of each month
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Producer Price Index (PPI)

Market impact: High Impact

(core)
Measures: Rate of Inflation or rate of price change for goods and services used by US producers.
Use: PPI can be said to be a leading indicator of consumer inflation, since producers normally pass on higher prices to consumers.
Released: 08:30 ET, middle of each month
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Non-farm Employment Change

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The number of new jobs created in the previous month, excluding the farming industry.
Use: The higher the employment rate, the more money people have available for spending, which is good for the economy and ultimately the currency.
Released: 08:30 ET, usually the first week of each month
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rate

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The percentage of the individuals of the US workforce without a job but actively seeking one.
Use: The higher the employment rate, the more money people have available for spending, which is good for the economy and ultimately the currency.
Released: 08:30 ET, usually the first week of each month
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Import Price Index

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The monthly rate of change or rate of inflation for imported goods.
Use: Since the US is a net importer of goods, an increase can have a major impact on the economy.
Released: 08:30 ET, about the 13th of each month
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Retail Sales

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: The total value of goods and services sold each month at the retail level.
Use: Indicator of consumption and consumer confidence. An positive trend of sales indicates consumer confidence and economic growth, which should be good for the US economy.
Released: 08:30 ET, about the 13th of each month
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

FOMC Interest Rate Statement

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) votes eight times per year to decide the nation's short term interest rate, popularly called the Fed Funds Rate.
Use: Changing the interest rate is a double edged sword. On the one hand lowering rates can spur economic growth but may increase inflationary pressures. On the other hand, increasing rates slows inflation but can halt growth. Because the Fed Funds Rate is fundamentally the return investors receive while holding USD, changes in rates affect the exchange rate of the USD.
Released: Every six weeks, see Fed Calendar for release dates
Data Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

FOMC Meeting Minutes

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: A detailed record of The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting held about two weeks prior.
Use: Traders pay attention to parts that can give insight into the Feds future intentions.
Released: Every six weeks, see Fed Calendar for release dates
Data Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Fed Governor Speech

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Fed Governors have an influence on Fed's monetary policy.
Use: Governor speeches are opportunities for investors to get insight into Fed future monetary policy.
Released: see Fed Calendar for dates
Data Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Fed Chairman Speech

Market impact: High Impact

Measures: Fed Chairman have an influence on Fed's monetary policy.
Use: Chairman speeches are opportunities for investors to get insight into Fed future monetary policy.
Released: see Fed Calendar for dates
Data Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Go to the next part, USD Moderate Impact

Return from USD High Impact to Fundamental Analysis

Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. We accept no liability for any errors contained therein. Please visit respective company or institution responsible for the release of the above data.