Economic Indicators Dashboard

Track critical economic indicators from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) system. Monitor employment, inflation, growth, and monetary policy data that drives market movements.

Market-Moving Economic Data

Employment Reports: Unemployment rate and nonfarm payrolls (first Friday of month)
Inflation Data: CPI and Core CPI releases (mid-month) drive Fed policy expectations
GDP Reports: Quarterly growth data confirms economic expansion/contraction
Fed Meetings: FOMC decisions and policy statements move bond and equity markets

Economic Calendar

High-Impact Indicators

Unemployment Rate (UNRATE)

Percentage of labor force actively seeking work - monthly release

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Primary inflation measure tracking consumer goods and services

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Total economic output - quarterly release with revisions

Federal Funds Rate

Overnight lending rate set by Federal Reserve - policy meetings

Market Impact Timing

Pre-Market Impact

Most economic data releases occur at 8:30 AM ET before market open

Immediate Reaction

Bond yields, dollar, and futures react within seconds of release

Sustained Move

Significant surprises can drive multi-day trends in rates and equities

Fed Policy Response

Persistent data changes influence Federal Reserve policy decisions

Typical Monthly Release Schedule

Week 1

  • • Employment Report (Friday)
  • • Manufacturing PMI
  • • Construction Spending

Week 2

  • • Producer Price Index
  • • Consumer Sentiment
  • • Retail Sales

Week 3

  • • Consumer Price Index
  • • Housing Starts
  • • Industrial Production

Week 4

  • • Durable Goods Orders
  • • Personal Income/Spending
  • • GDP (quarterly)

Actual release dates vary by month and are subject to revisions. FOMC meetings occur 8 times per year.

Federal Reserve Policy Tools

Interest Rate Policy

Federal Funds Rate adjustments

  • • 8 FOMC meetings per year
  • • 25-50 basis point typical moves
  • • Forward guidance in statements

Quantitative Policy

Balance sheet operations

  • • Treasury and mortgage bond purchases
  • • Quantitative tightening (QT)
  • • Bank reserve requirements

Communication

Fed officials' speeches and testimony

  • • Chair Powell's Congressional testimony
  • • Regional Fed president speeches
  • • Beige Book regional reports