Economic calendar

Monday 2 November 2026

07:00 AUD MI Inflation Gauge (m/m)MI Inflation Gauge m/m Previous 0.3%

What it is: A monthly estimate of how prices of goods and services are changing in Australia, produced by the Melbourne Institute at the University of Melbourne.
Why it matters: It comes out before the official CPI, so traders use it as an early hint of inflation trends, which relate to RBA interest rate decisions. It is usually a low-to-medium impact release.
Usual market reaction: Markets usually compare the actual figure with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast reading tends to support the Australian dollar, as traders may see the RBA keeping rates higher for longer, while a lower reading often weighs on it. The reaction is usually milder than for the official CPI.

07:30 AUD Building Approvals (m/m)Building Approvals m/m Forecast 1.8%Previous -6.1%

What it is: Data on the number of permits approved for new buildings in Australia, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as a change from the previous month.
Why it matters: Approvals are a forward-looking sign of construction activity and the housing market, which is sensitive to interest rates. It is usually a low-to-medium impact release, and the figure often jumps around from month to month.
Usual market reaction: Markets usually compare the actual figure with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result tends to support the Australian dollar as it suggests solid housing demand and a stronger economy, while a lower one often weighs on it. The reaction is usually modest.

12:30 AUD Australia Commodity Prices y/yCommodity Prices y/y Previous 15.5%

What it is: A commodity price index published by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). It shows the year-on-year change in prices of Australia's main exports, such as iron ore, coal and LNG.
Why it matters: Australia relies heavily on commodity export income, so price changes matter for its economy. This release usually has a fairly small market impact.
Usual market reaction: Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast rise in commodity prices usually supports the Australian dollar (AUD), as export earnings often improve, while a lower result tends to weigh on it. The reaction is often muted because traders can already see these prices moving in the market.

14:33 CHF Swiss Retail Sales y/yRetail Sales y/y Forecast 3.0%Previous 3.2%

What it is: The change in retail sales in Switzerland compared with the same period a year earlier, published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Why it matters: It shows how strong domestic consumer spending is, which ties into growth and inflation. The impact on markets is usually fairly small.
Usual market reaction: Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result usually gives slight support to the Swiss franc (CHF), as it points to a healthy domestic economy, while a lower result tends to weigh on it. The franc is often driven more by global risk sentiment and Swiss National Bank signals.

15:30 CHF Swiss Manufacturing PMIManufacturing PMI Forecast 55.3Previous 55.3

What it is: A monthly survey of purchasing managers in Switzerland's manufacturing sector, published by procure.ch. A reading above 50 suggests expansion, while below 50 suggests contraction.
Why it matters: It helps gauge the health of Swiss industry, which relies heavily on exports. It is generally of moderate importance.
Usual market reaction: Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result usually supports the Swiss franc (CHF), while a lower one tends to weigh on it. However, the franc is often seen as a safe haven, so it may respond more to global risk mood than to this release alone.

Tuesday 3 November 2026

10:30 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.

10:30 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.

10:30 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.

11:30 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.

14:30 CHF Swiss CPI m/mCPI m/m Forecast 0.0%Previous 0.0%

What it is: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the monthly change in the prices of goods and services bought by households in Switzerland. It is published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Why it matters: Traders watch it because it is a key inflation gauge that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) considers when setting interest rates. It is usually of moderate importance for the Swiss franc.
Usual market reaction: Prices tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast reading usually supports the franc, as markets may expect the SNB to be slower to cut rates, while a lower reading often weighs on CHF. The reaction is often milder than for major US data.

Wednesday 4 November 2026Today

07:30 AUD Australia Household Spending m/mHousehold Spending m/m Forecast 0.2%Previous 0.0%

What it is: This measures the monthly change in consumer spending by Australian households. It is published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Why it matters: Household consumption is a large part of the Australian economy, so the data gives clues about economic strength and inflation pressure, which feed into RBA interest rate decisions. It is usually a medium-impact release.
Usual market reaction: Markets compare the actual figure with the forecast. Spending that is higher than forecast usually supports the Australian dollar (AUD), as it suggests a stronger economy and may make RBA rate cuts less likely. A lower-than-forecast result tends to weigh on AUD. The link to gold is usually not clear-cut.

Thursday 5 November 2026

07:30 AUD Australia Goods Trade BalanceGoods Trade Balance Forecast 0.94BPrevious 0.50B

What it is: The difference between the value of Australia's goods exports and imports, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). A positive number is a surplus and a negative number is a deficit.
Why it matters: Australia mainly exports resources such as iron ore and coal, so this figure reflects demand for its goods and the health of its economy. Its importance is usually moderate.
Usual market reaction: Markets react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A larger-than-expected surplus (or smaller deficit) tends to support the Australian dollar, as more demand for the currency is needed to pay for exports, while a weaker result often weighs on it. The impact is usually limited unless the figure differs a lot from expectations.

13:45 AUD RBA Deputy Governor Hauser SpeaksRBA Deputy Gov Hauser Speaks

What it is: This is a public speech or set of remarks by the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), one of the central bank's senior officials.
Why it matters: Traders listen for clues about the central bank's view on the economy, inflation and the likely path of interest rates. Its importance usually depends on the content and tone of the remarks.
Usual market reaction: Markets judge whether the comments sound hawkish (hinting at higher or longer-held rates) or dovish (hinting at rate cuts) compared with expectations. Hawkish remarks tend to support the Australian dollar, while dovish ones often weigh on it. If nothing new is said, the reaction is often small.

15:00 CHF Swiss Unemployment RateUnemployment Rate Forecast 3.1%Previous 3.1%

What it is: This shows the share of the Swiss labour force that is out of work. It is published monthly by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Why it matters: Traders use it to gauge the health of the Swiss labour market and economy, which can influence the Swiss National Bank's (SNB) view on interest rates. It is usually of medium importance.
Usual market reaction: Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast unemployment rate is often read as a weaker economy and tends to weigh on the Swiss franc (CHF), while a lower-than-forecast figure usually supports it. The reaction is often modest compared with inflation data or central bank meetings.

19:40 CHF SNB Chairman Schlegel Speaks

What it is: This is a public speech or set of remarks by Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), which is Switzerland's central bank.
Why it matters: A central bank chief's comments can offer clues about interest rates, monetary policy and the central bank's view of the Swiss franc. Traders follow it, and its importance usually depends on what is said.
Usual market reaction: Traders usually listen for hints about rate changes, views on inflation or possible action on the currency. If the tone is firmer than the market expects, the Swiss franc often strengthens, while a softer tone than expected tends to weigh on it. Gold sometimes draws attention when the franc moves sharply, as both are often seen as safe-haven assets.

Friday 6 November 2026

15:00 CHF Swiss Foreign Currency ReservesForeign Currency Reserves Previous 770B

What it is: A monthly figure published by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) showing the value of foreign currency assets it holds.
Why it matters: Traders watch it for clues on whether the SNB may be intervening in the currency market to limit the Swiss franc's strength. It usually has a fairly small market impact.
Usual market reaction: Markets tend to compare the actual figure with the forecast. Reserves higher than forecast may suggest the SNB bought more foreign currency to hold back the franc, which can slightly weigh on CHF, while a lower figure may be read the opposite way. However, the number is also affected by changes in asset values, so the signal is often unclear.

15:00 CHF SECO Consumer Climate Forecast -35Previous -36

What it is: A quarterly survey by Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) asking households about the economy, their own finances and job security.
Why it matters: Consumer confidence gives a clue about whether people may spend more or less, which affects economic growth. It is usually seen as a low-to-medium importance release.
Usual market reaction: Markets tend to compare the actual reading with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast reading, showing more optimism, usually supports CHF slightly, while a lower one tends to weigh on the franc. The reaction is often modest.

18:00 CHF SNB Governing Board Member Tschudin SpeaksGov Board Member Tschudin Speaks

What it is: A speech or interview by Petra Tschudin, a member of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB).
Why it matters: Comments from policymakers can hint at the direction of interest rates and the central bank's view on the Swiss franc. The importance is usually low to medium unless she signals something different from market expectations.
Usual market reaction: Traders usually listen for remarks on inflation, interest rates or the strength of the franc. Prices tend to react to her tone compared with what the market already expects. If she sounds more hawkish than expected, CHF often gains support, while a more dovish tone may weigh on it. Often there is nothing new and the reaction can be small.