What is the highest-impact forex news event?

The US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report, released on the first Friday of each month, is widely regarded as one of the highest-impact forex events.

How does the CPI affect forex markets?

A higher-than-expected CPI often signals potential interest rate hikes from the central bank, which tends to strengthen that country's currency.

Should I trade during high-impact news events?

Many traders choose to close open positions before major releases or wait for volatility to settle before entering new trades.

Forex Economic Calendar: High-Impact Events & News

What Is a Forex Economic Calendar?

A forex economic calendar is a schedule of upcoming economic data releases, central bank meetings, and geopolitical events that are known to cause significant movement in currency markets. Traders use it to anticipate volatility, plan entries and exits, and avoid being caught off guard by unexpected price swings.

Each event is typically rated by its expected market impact, whether high, medium, or low, based on historical price reactions. High-impact events, such as US Non-Farm Payrolls or Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, can move major currency pairs by hundreds of pips within minutes.

Key Economic Events Every Forex Trader Should Watch

High Impact

Medium Impact

Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) US monthly employment report. One of the highest-impact forex events, released on the first Friday of each month.

Central Bank Rate Decisions The Federal Reserve, ECB, Bank of England, and other central banks set interest rates that directly drive currency valuations.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) Measures inflation. Higher-than-expected CPI often signals potential interest rate hikes, strengthening the local currency.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) A country's GDP growth rate reflects economic health and can significantly influence its currency's strength.

Retail Sales Indicates consumer spending trends and overall economic momentum. Stronger figures tend to support a currency.

PMI Data Purchasing Managers Index surveys reveal whether manufacturing and services sectors are expanding or contracting.

How to Use the Economic Calendar When Trading

Before entering any trade, always check the economic calendar for scheduled events on that currency pair. High-impact releases can cause sudden spikes and spread widening that may trigger stop losses or create slippage. Many experienced traders choose to either close positions before major news, or wait for the initial volatility to settle before entering.

At PipMetrics, our team closely monitors the economic calendar and integrates high-impact events into our decision-making process. Timing is carefully evaluated to manage risk effectively, particularly around periods of heightened market volatility. When necessary, positions may be adjusted or withdrawn to maintain a disciplined and risk-aware approach.

Tips for Reading the Forex Economic Calendar

Pay attention to the Previous, Forecast, and Actual columns. The biggest price reactions typically occur when the actual result deviates significantly from the forecast. This is called a "surprise." A better-than-expected result for a country's economy usually strengthens its currency, while a worse-than-expected result tends to weaken it.

Always make sure your calendar is set to your local timezone to avoid confusion around event times.