Wednesday 4 November 2026

Economic calendar

Times follow your own time zone automatically (change it below). Tap an event to see what it is, why it matters and how markets usually react.

Tuesday 3 November 2026

USD Loan Officer Survey
What it is
A survey by the US Federal Reserve that asks bank loan officers about their lending standards and how much borrowers want to take out loans. It is usually released quarterly.
Why it matters
It shows whether banks are tightening or easing credit, which tends to influence spending and investment in the economy. Its market impact is usually low to moderate.
Usual market reaction
Markets often compare the result with the forecast or the previous survey. Easier lending standards and stronger loan demand than expected tend to give the US dollar mild support, while tighter standards than expected may weigh on it because they hint at slower growth. Gold and US stock indices may move with the dollar and with shifting views on interest rates.
NZD NZ Building Consents m/mBuilding Consents m/m Previous 5.6%
What it is
The monthly change in the number of permits issued for new homes in New Zealand, published by the statistics agency Stats NZ.
Why it matters
Building permits are often an early sign of construction activity and the housing market, both of which affect the economy. The figure tends to be volatile from month to month, so its market impact is usually low to moderate.
Usual market reaction
Prices usually react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result often supports the New Zealand dollar (NZD) because it points to a firmer property sector, while a lower one tends to weigh on it. Traders often read it alongside other data and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's stance on interest rates.
AUD RBA Cash RateCash Rate Forecast 4.85%Previous 4.60%
What it is
The Cash Rate is Australia's official interest rate, announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) after its monetary policy meeting.
Why it matters
Interest rates are the main driver of the Australian dollar (AUD), so this is one of the most important AUD events and often causes sharp moves.
Usual market reaction
Prices usually react to the actual decision compared with the forecast. A bigger-than-expected hike or a more hawkish tone tends to support AUD, while a cut or a softer-than-expected stance tends to weigh on it. The tone of the accompanying statement often matters as much as the rate itself.
AUD RBA Monetary Policy Statement
What it is
A detailed report published quarterly by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), explaining its view of the economy, inflation and the reasoning behind its policy decisions.
Why it matters
It contains the RBA's economic and inflation forecasts, which help the market judge where interest rates may go next, so it usually gets fairly high attention.
Usual market reaction
Traders look at how the inflation and growth forecasts have changed from before and whether there are hints about rates. Higher-than-expected inflation forecasts or a firmer tone tend to support AUD, while weaker or softer-than-expected signals tend to weigh on it. The reaction is often smaller than for the rate decision itself, as some information is usually already priced in.
AUD RBA Rate Statement
What it is
A short written statement released by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) together with its interest rate decision, explaining the reasons behind it.
Why it matters
It gives clues on how the RBA sees inflation, jobs and the economy, which is very important for judging where interest rates may go next.
Usual market reaction
Markets usually compare the wording with the previous statement, for example more concern about inflation or a door opened to rate cuts. A tone firmer than expected tends to support AUD, while a softer one tends to weigh on it. Prices often move sharply in the first minutes after release.
AUD RBA Press Conference
What it is
A press conference where the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) explains the policy decision and answers questions from reporters.
Why it matters
Traders watch it because the Governor may give extra hints about interest rates that were not in the written statement, so it can often add volatility.
Usual market reaction
Markets usually listen for how the Governor talks about inflation, the job market and the chances of future rate hikes or cuts. A tone firmer than expected tends to support AUD, while a softer one tends to weigh on it. Prices can sometimes reverse if the answers differ from the earlier written statement.
USD RCM/TIPP Economic Optimism Forecast 46.2Previous 46.8
What it is
A monthly survey of how Americans view the economic outlook, run by RealClearMarkets and TechnoMetrica (TIPP). A reading above 50 reflects a positive outlook.
Why it matters
Consumer confidence tends to be linked to spending, which is a key driver of the US economy. However, this index usually gets less attention than other sentiment surveys, so its importance is generally low.
Usual market reaction
Prices usually react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast reading often gives the US dollar slight support because it signals better confidence, while a lower one tends to weigh on it. A stronger dollar usually pressures gold and a weaker dollar tends to help it, but the reaction to this release is often modest.
USD US JOLTS Job OpeningsJOLTS Job Openings Forecast 7.15MPrevious 7.08M
What it is
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) reports how many unfilled job openings there are in the United States. It is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Why it matters
Traders use it to gauge how tight the labour market is, which the Federal Reserve considers when setting interest rates. It is usually of moderate to fairly high importance.
Usual market reaction
Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. Higher-than-forecast openings often point to a strong job market and can support the US dollar, while a lower figure usually weighs on it. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar and bond yields, so it may soften when USD strengthens and gain when USD weakens.
USD US Factory Orders (m/m)Factory Orders m/m Forecast 1.2%Previous 0.1%
What it is
The US Census Bureau publishes the total value of new orders placed with factories for both durable and non-durable goods, compared with the previous month.
Why it matters
It reflects demand for manufactured goods and the health of US industry. However, the durable goods part is usually released earlier, so markets tend to treat this report as medium to fairly low importance.
Usual market reaction
Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result usually points to a stronger economy and tends to support the US dollar, while a lower result often weighs on it. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar, so it may soften when the dollar strengthens and firm when the dollar weakens.
USD US Total Vehicle Sales (Omdia)Omdia Total Vehicle Sales Forecast 15.8MPrevious 16.0M
What it is
Omdia, a market research firm, estimates total new vehicle sales in the US, usually shown as an annualised pace in millions of units.
Why it matters
Buying a car is a big purchase for households, so the figure gives a hint about consumer spending power and confidence. It is generally treated as a lower-importance release.
Usual market reaction
Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. Higher-than-forecast sales suggest consumers are still spending and tend to support the US dollar, while weaker sales may weigh on it slightly. The reaction is often small, and gold tends to move in the opposite direction to the dollar.
USD US Congressional ElectionsCongressional Elections
What it is
Elections for seats in the US House of Representatives and part of the Senate, held on a fixed schedule by federal and state authorities.
Why it matters
The result shows which party controls Congress, which can shape fiscal policy, taxes and government spending. Traders watch it, though it is usually less important than major economic data.
Usual market reaction
Markets do not react to a figure here but to whether the outcome matches expectations. If the result differs a lot from what was priced in, the US dollar may become more volatile as investors rethink fiscal policy and government borrowing. Gold and US stock indices often move with the dollar and overall risk mood.
NZD GDT Price Index (Global Dairy Trade)GDT Price Index Previous 2.5%
What it is
Global Dairy Trade (GDT) is an online auction platform for dairy products such as milk powder and butter, held regularly, usually twice a month. The index shows the change in average prices from each auction.
Why it matters
Dairy is one of New Zealand's biggest exports, so dairy prices are linked to national income. NZD traders in particular tend to pay fair attention to it.
Usual market reaction
Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast or the previous auction. A higher-than-forecast result tends to support the New Zealand dollar because it suggests better export earnings, while a lower result often weighs on it. The impact is usually limited mainly to NZD pairs.
NZD GDT Price Index (Global Dairy Trade)GDT Price Index Previous 2.5%
What it is
Global Dairy Trade (GDT) is an online auction platform for dairy products such as milk powder and butter, held regularly, usually twice a month. The index shows the change in average prices from each auction.
Why it matters
Dairy is one of New Zealand's biggest exports, so dairy prices are linked to national income. NZD traders in particular tend to pay fair attention to it.
Usual market reaction
Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast or the previous auction. A higher-than-forecast result tends to support the New Zealand dollar because it suggests better export earnings, while a lower result often weighs on it. The impact is usually limited mainly to NZD pairs.

Calendar data from Forex Factory. Explanations are written by AI for education, not investment advice.