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.
Thursday 5 November 2026
GBP UK Construction PMIConstruction PMI Forecast 46.4Previous 46.1
Forecast46.4Previous46.1
- What it is
- This is a survey-based index of purchasing managers at UK construction companies. It is compiled by S&P Global and CIPS.
- Why it matters
- A reading above 50 usually signals the construction sector is expanding, while below 50 suggests contraction. Traders use it as a clue to UK economic momentum, though it is generally less important than the services and manufacturing PMIs.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A PMI above the forecast is often read as a sign of a stronger economy and tends to support the pound (GBP), while a lower one usually weighs on it. The reaction is often light to moderate.
USD Challenger Job Cuts y/y Previous -19.9%
Previous-19.9%
- What it is
- Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a US employment consulting firm, publishes the number of job cuts announced by US employers. This figure shows the change compared with the same period a year earlier.
- Why it matters
- It offers a hint about whether the US labor market is weakening or staying strong, often ahead of jobs reports such as NFP. It is usually a low-to-medium importance release.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders usually compare the actual figure with the forecast or the previous reading. Higher-than-forecast job cuts tend to be read as a weaker labor market, which often weighs on the US dollar, while lower-than-forecast cuts usually support it. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar, so it may get support when the dollar weakens, although this link is not always consistent.
GBP BOE Monetary Policy SummaryMonetary Policy Summary
- What it is
- A document the Bank of England (BOE) publishes alongside its interest rate announcement, explaining the reasons for its decision and its view on inflation and the economy.
- Why it matters
- Traders read it to judge whether the BOE is leaning toward raising or cutting rates. It is usually considered highly important because it comes out with the rate decision.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices usually react to the wording compared with what the market expected. If the tone is more hawkish than expected, such as worry about inflation, the pound often gains support; if it is softer or hints at rate cuts, the pound tends to weaken. Pairs like GBP/USD can swing sharply when it is released.
GBP BOE Monetary Policy Report
- What it is
- A quarterly report from the Bank of England (BOE), released alongside its rate decision, with forecasts for inflation and economic growth.
- Why it matters
- It shows how the BOE sees the economy and inflation, which is linked to the future path of interest rates. It is usually a major event for the GBP.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders usually listen for hints about interest rates. Higher inflation forecasts or a firm tone often support the GBP, while weaker growth forecasts or a softer tone tend to weigh on it. Markets often react to what differs from expectations and can be volatile around the press conference.
GBP MPC Official Bank Rate Votes Forecast 7-0-2Previous 3-0-6
Forecast7-0-2Previous3-0-6
- What it is
- A breakdown of how each member of the BOE's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted, for example to hold, raise or cut rates. It is released with the rate decision.
- Why it matters
- The vote split helps show where rates might go next. When members disagree strongly, the market usually pays closer attention.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices usually react to the votes compared with what the market expected. If more members vote to raise rates than forecast, the pound often gains support; if more vote to cut than expected, it tends to weaken. Traders often treat dissenting votes as a clue that policy may be changing direction.
GBP BOE Official Bank RateOfficial Bank Rate Forecast 4.00%Previous 3.75%
Forecast4.00%Previous3.75%
- What it is
- The main interest rate of the United Kingdom, set by the Bank of England's (BOE) Monetary Policy Committee.
- Why it matters
- It is one of the biggest drivers of the pound, because interest rates affect borrowing costs, inflation and capital flows.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices usually react to the actual rate compared with the forecast. A rate higher than expected, or a hawkish signal from the BOE, tends to support the pound, while a lower one often weighs on it. Gold is usually affected only indirectly, through moves in the US dollar. If the result matches expectations, the accompanying statement often matters more.
GBP BOE Governor Bailey SpeaksBOE Gov Bailey Speaks
- What it is
- A speech or public comments by the Governor of the Bank of England (BOE), Andrew Bailey, on the economy, inflation and monetary policy.
- Why it matters
- The Governor is the most influential voice at the BOE, so his words are often used to read where interest rates may head. Its importance depends on the topic and timing.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders usually listen for hints about rate hikes or cuts and compare the tone with what the market expected. A more hawkish tone than expected tends to support the pound, while a softer tone or worry about slower growth often weighs on it. Prices can be volatile during the speech, especially in any question-and-answer session.
USD US Unemployment ClaimsUnemployment Claims Forecast 197KPrevious 194K
Forecast197KPrevious194K
- What it is
- This is a weekly figure showing how many people in the US filed for unemployment benefits for the first time. It is published by the US Department of Labor.
- Why it matters
- It is an early signal of how healthy the job market is, which the Fed considers when setting interest rates. The figure can swing from week to week, so it is usually of medium importance.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. This data works in reverse: a lower-than-forecast number suggests a stronger job market and usually supports the US dollar, while a higher-than-forecast number suggests a weaker one and often weighs on the dollar. Gold often moves opposite to the dollar in the short term.
USD US Preliminary Nonfarm Productivity q/qPrelim Nonfarm Productivity q/q Forecast 2.8%Previous 1.4%
Forecast2.8%Previous1.4%
- What it is
- This measures how much output US workers produce per hour worked. It is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as a preliminary quarterly figure.
- Why it matters
- Traders watch it because it reflects how efficiently the economy is running and ties into labor costs and inflation. It is usually of medium importance.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result is often read as a sign of a healthy economy and usually supports the US dollar, while a lower result tends to weigh on it. The reaction can be mixed because traders also look at unit labor costs released alongside it. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar.
USD Preliminary Unit Labor Costs q/qPrelim Unit Labor Costs q/q Forecast 0.3%Previous 1.3%
Forecast0.3%Previous1.3%
- What it is
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes this figure, which measures the change in labor costs needed to produce one unit of output compared with the previous quarter. It is usually released together with labor productivity data.
- Why it matters
- Fast-rising labor costs can add pressure on inflation, which the Fed considers when setting interest rates. It is usually a medium-importance release.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders usually compare the actual figure with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result tends to be read as more inflation pressure and may lead markets to expect rates to stay higher for longer, which often supports the US dollar, while a lower result usually weighs on it. Gold often moves opposite to the dollar and bond yields, so it may soften when the dollar strengthens, but because this figure is often revised later, the reaction is usually moderate.
USD FOMC Member Hammack Speaks
- What it is
- Beth Hammack is the president of the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank and takes part in FOMC meetings, which set US interest rate policy.
- Why it matters
- Comments from FOMC participants help the market guess where interest rates may head next. The importance usually depends on the speaker's influence and what is said.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders listen for hints about interest rates, inflation and the job market. A hawkish tone (leaning toward higher or longer-held rates) tends to support the US dollar and may weigh on gold, while a dovish tone (leaning toward rate cuts) often pressures the dollar and may support gold. Moves are usually modest unless the speech contains something new.
USD FOMC Member Barkin Speaks
- What it is
- Tom Barkin is the president of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank and takes part in FOMC meetings, which set US interest rate policy.
- Why it matters
- Traders watch because his remarks can reveal views on the economy and interest rates, helping the market gauge Fed policy. The importance is usually low to medium.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders listen for hints about rates, inflation and the labor market. A hawkish tone tends to support the US dollar and may weigh on gold, while a dovish tone often pressures the dollar and may support gold. If there is nothing new, the market reaction is usually small.
CAD BOC Governor Macklem SpeaksBOC Gov Macklem Speaks
- What it is
- Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada (BOC), gives a speech or public remarks about the Canadian economy and monetary policy.
- Why it matters
- As the person with the most influence over Canada's interest-rate direction, the Governor's words are closely watched. Importance depends on the content but is usually moderate to high.
- Usual market reaction
- Traders usually listen for hints about whether rates may be raised, held or cut, and for views on inflation and growth. A hawkish tone tends to support the Canadian dollar (CAD), while a dovish tone often weighs on it. Markets compare the remarks with what was already expected, and prices can be volatile during the speech or Q&A.
USD US Natural Gas StorageNatural Gas Storage Forecast 81BPrevious 80B
Forecast81BPrevious80B
- What it is
- A weekly report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) showing how much natural gas is held in underground storage in the US and how that changed from the previous week.
- Why it matters
- Energy traders use it to judge the balance between natural gas supply and demand, so it mainly affects natural gas prices. Its impact on currencies and broader markets is usually limited.
- Usual market reaction
- Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A bigger-than-expected build (or a smaller-than-expected draw) suggests more supply and usually weighs on natural gas prices, while a smaller build or larger draw often supports them. The effect on the US dollar and gold is generally small.
Calendar data from Forex Factory. Explanations are written by AI for education, not investment advice.