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Economic Calendar

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What Is an Economic Calendar? (And How to Use It for Trading EUR/USD, NAS100, Gold, and More)

Are you looking for the best way to track trading news and events? 

This guide answers the most common search questions about the economic calendar for forex, indices, gold, and crypto. 

You’ll find real examples, quick tips, and direct advice, whether you use the Economic Calendar Forex Factory, Economic Events Today, Economic Calendar Today, or Economic Calendar by TradingView.

What Is an Economic Calendar?

An economic calendar is a tool that lists dates and times for important financial events. These could be government reports, central bank meetings, or big economic data releases. 

It helps traders spot when markets like EUR/USD, AUD/USD, GBP/USD, NZD/USD, NAS100, SP500, US30, XAU/USD, Gold, and BTC/USD could move.

Why Do Traders Use the Economic Calendar?

  • To avoid unexpected price swings in forex pairs and indices
  • To plan trades on EUR/USD, AUD/USD, Gold, US30, NAS100, and BTC/USD
  • To understand what’s moving markets each day
  • Trusted, real-time data for EUR/USD, AUD/USD, GBP/USD, NZD/USD, NAS100, SP500, US30, XAU/USD, Gold, BTC/USD.

 

Which Economic Events Move Markets the Most?

Event

What It Is

Why It Matters

Example (Real Moves)

Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)

US jobs report

Rapidly moves EUR/USD, GBP/USD, NAS100, SP500, Gold, BTC/USD

Surprise NFP: EUR/USD might drop, US30 or Gold might spike

FOMC Meetings & Powell Speeches

US Federal Reserve policy updates; remarks from chair

Critical for USD crosses, indices, gold—sets interest rate and risk tone

Unexpected hawkish tone from Powell can send EUR/USD down, Gold and SP500 diving

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

US inflation

Shifts rates, hits Gold, SP500, US30, BTC/USD

High CPI: Gold, BTC/USD rise; SP500 falls

Geopolitical Events (e.g., Trump Speech, Tariffs)

Political statements or tariff changes

Can cause sudden risk-on/risk-off flows in USD, indices, gold, BTC

Trump speech on tariffs triggers big moves in EUR/USD, Gold, and US30

Central Bank Rate Decisions

Fed/ECB/BOE rate change

Sets new trends in USD, EUR, GBP, Gold, indices, crypto

Fed hike: USD up, Gold down, indices fall

Other: GDP, PMI, Retail Sales

Economic growth & demand

Affect forex, indices, commodities, crypto

Strong GDP: SP500, US30 rise; currencies strengthen

Other data to check: GDP, PMI, Retail Sales―all can affect currency pairs, indices, and crypto.

How Do I Read Economic Calendar Data?

  • Compare forecast vs actual
    If EUR/USD moves after NFP, it’s often because the result was better or worse than expected.
  • Don’t just look at the number
    A CPI increase affects Gold or BTC/USD only if it surprises traders.
  • Always use your local time zone
    Missing an event can cost a trade in GBP/USD or XAU/USD.

 

Headline Strategies for Trading the News

Wondering how to act on calendar events?

1. Breakout (“Straddle”) Before News

  • Place a buy and sell order around EUR/USD or XAU/USD before big news
  • Catch the sharp move, cancel the other order
  • Watch for whipsaws in GBP/USD, US30, BTC/USD

 

2. Fade the Spike

  • Wait for the first spike in Gold, NAS100, AUD/USD
  • Trade in the opposite direction if price reverses

 

3. Sit Out Before Major Data Drops

  • Don’t trade big setups on EUR/USD or SP500 right before Fed or ECB news

 

How to Use the TraderFactor Economic Calendar

  • Filter for major events only
    Find high-impact news for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, Gold, NAS100, US30, and BTC/USD.
  • Check the full list each morning
    Scan Economic Calendar Today before you open trades.

 

Fast Answers to Top Trading Calendar Questions

What is an economic calendar?

A tool that lists upcoming financial events and data releases that can move markets like EUR/USD, NAS100, or Gold.

Why use an economic calendar for forex trading?

It helps spot when volatility will hit pairs like GBP/USD or AUD/USD so you can plan trades or avoid risk.

How do I read the “impact” rating on event calendars?

Look for High, Medium, or Low labels high-impact events often move pairs like EUR/USD, indices like SP500, or gold prices.

What does “forecast vs. actual” mean?

Compare the expected number to the real result. Big surprises can cause sharp moves in US30 or BTC/USD.

When do most big moves happen?

Right after major news releases like Non-Farm Payrolls or CPI for the US dollar.

Does the economic calendar show all markets?

Yes—major events move forex (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD), indices (SP500, NAS100, US30), gold (XAU/USD), and crypto (BTC/USD).

What time zone should I use?

Set it to your local time zone so you don’t miss key events hitting SP500 or NAS100.

Are economic calendars like Forex Factory or Econoday reliable?

They provide solid data but always double-check times and verify with your broker.

Which events move gold (XAU/USD) the most?

US inflation (CPI), Fed announcements, and geopolitical news often trigger big gold price swings.

How does news affect BTC/USD?

Macro data (like inflation) and global financial shocks can cause fast moves in crypto.

Do I need to check the calendar every day?

Yes, especially if you day trade forex, gold, indices, or crypto.

Can beginners use an economic calendar?

Absolutely just watch for high-impact events and note how GBP/USD or AUD/USD reacts.

What are “consensus” estimates?

The average forecast by analysts markets often price this in, not the previous number.

Should I hold trades through big news?

Many traders exit before key events on EUR/USD or SP500 to avoid sudden losses.

What’s the best calendar for forex and indices?

Popular options: Economic Calendar Forex Factory, TradingView, Econoday, or your broker’s built-in tool.

Can I set alerts for specific pairs?

Yes, most modern calendars let you set alerts for EUR/USD, NAS100, Gold, and others.

Which events most affect the NAS100 and SP500?

US earnings, inflation data, and central bank announcements.

Are weekends included?

Only if key events or emergency meetings are scheduled. Markets are quieter but some crypto events may occur.

Can I see economic releases for today only?

Use filters like “Economic Calendar Today” for just today’s scheduled events.

How do traders use these events for profit?

By planning entry and exit around volatility buying breakouts or fading spikes on pairs like EUR/USD, Gold, SP500, or BTC/USD.

Takeaway: Why The Economic Calendar Is Your Trusted Source

  • We give you real-time, accurate calendar data for all major pairs: EUR/USD, AUD/USD, GBP/USD, NZD/USD, NAS100, SP500, US30, XAU/USD, Gold, and BTC/USD.
  • Our team uses proprietary alerts, actual trader experience, and actionable signals.
  • Get the answers you need up front.

Start planning every trade smarter with an economic calendar built for today’s forex, index, gold, and crypto traders.

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