Economic calendar: NFP, CPI, PCE, FOMC — why they move everything
Economic releases are the appointments where markets change their mind within seconds. Knowing them prevents being surprised at the worst moment.
Here are the four families that weigh most on indices, rates, currencies, gold and oil.
Today’s snapshot
Reading of 2026-10-24 — quotes from public sources; they are not a forecast.
Read today’s market briefing →Employment (NFP): the first Friday of the month
The US employment report (Non-Farm Payrolls) lands on the first Friday of the month, at 14:30 Paris time (13:30 UTC). It drives rates, hence the dollar, hence everything else.
The reaction almost always comes from the GAP between the release and the forecast, not from the number alone.
Inflation: CPI, then PCE
CPI measures consumer prices; PCE is the measure the Federal Reserve watches first, published later in the month.
Hotter-than-expected inflation pushes rates up, which often weighs on equities and supports the dollar.
Rates: FOMC, ECB and central banks
Rate decisions are usually anticipated; the press conference and the tone make the move. One word about the future pace (“hawkish” or “dovish”) moves more than a quarter point.
Those meetings are announced months ahead: they appear in the daily briefing calendar, with the published forecast when available.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the market move so much after a release?
Because positions are taken BEFORE, based on a forecast. When the actual number deviates, many positions must adjust at the same time.
Can these moments be avoided entirely?
Yes, by knowing them in advance: reduce size, or take no new position just before. It is a decision, not an obligation.
Do displayed forecasts commit anything?
No: a forecast is a consensus expectation, published by institutions. It is neither a guarantee nor advice.
Where can I see today’s calendar?
In the daily market briefing: today’s events, their time (Paris and UTC), their impact and their forecast.
Read next
Quote sources: public providers (CNBC, Yahoo Finance, CoinGecko, ECB, Forex Factory economic calendar). Educational content: not investment advice, not a forecast.