Data release guide
Economic Calendar: know what the number measures
This evergreen calendar explains the releases that most often influence rates, currencies, bonds and equities. Exact release dates should be checked on the linked official publisher calendars.
| Release | What to compare | Why markets watch it |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer inflation | Monthly, annual, core and prior revisions | Shapes real income and rate expectations |
| Central-bank decision | Rate, statement, projections and press conference | Affects discount rates and financing conditions |
| GDP | Real growth, components and revisions | Shows the breadth and pace of activity |
| Employment | Jobs, unemployment, participation and wages | Signals household demand and inflation pressure |
| PMI or surveys | Headline, new orders, employment and prices | Provides timely directional information |
| Household accounts | Income, consumption, saving and investment | Shows consumer resilience and balance-sheet behaviour |
How to read a release
A number can be “better” than expected but still weak in absolute terms. Check the comparison period, revisions, seasonal adjustment and whether a change is nominal or inflation-adjusted. Market reaction also depends on positioning and what investors expected before publication.
Primary sources
- IMF World Economic Outlook Update, July 2026 (8 July 2026)
- OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2026 Issue 1 (2026)
- ECB Consumer Expectations Survey results, June 2026 (24 July 2026)
- Eurostat: Household saving rate remains stable at 14.3% in the euro area (3 July 2026)
- World Bank Global Economic Prospects (Accessed 2026)
Data references are identified by publisher and publication date so editors can review them before future updates.