Economic calendar

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Forecast14.6KPrevious-68.3K

What it is

This shows how many more or fewer people in Canada had a job in the previous month. It is published by Statistics Canada as part of its Labour Force Survey.

Why it matters

Employment reflects the strength of the Canadian economy and is one of the factors the Bank of Canada considers when setting interest rates, so it is an important release for the Canadian dollar.

Usual market reaction

Prices usually react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast job gain tends to support the Canadian dollar, as it suggests a healthy economy, while a lower-than-forecast or negative result often weighs on it. USD/CAD can be especially volatile when this is released alongside US jobs data.

Forecast6.5%Previous6.5%

What it is

The unemployment rate is the share of people in the labour force who are without a job and looking for work. It is published monthly by Statistics Canada.

Why it matters

It is a key gauge of the Canadian job market and one of the inputs the Bank of Canada looks at when considering interest rates. It is usually released together with the employment change figure.

Usual market reaction

Prices usually react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. Unlike job-growth data, a lower-than-forecast unemployment rate tends to support the Canadian dollar because it points to a strong job market, while a higher-than-forecast rate often weighs on it. The reaction often also depends on the employment figure released at the same time.

Forecast0.3%Previous0.1%

What it is

This shows how much average hourly pay for US workers changed compared with the previous month. It is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) alongside the NFP jobs report.

Why it matters

Rising wages can push up prices, so this figure is linked to the Fed's interest rate decisions. It is usually considered a very important release.

Usual market reaction

Markets tend to react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result usually supports the US dollar (USD), while a lower one usually weighs on it. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar, so a stronger dollar tends to pressure gold.

Forecast65KPrevious29K

What it is

NFP shows how many jobs the US economy added or lost in the previous month, excluding farm work. It is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Why it matters

The job market reflects the health of the US economy and influences the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decisions, so this is one of the most closely watched releases in the world.

Usual market reaction

Prices usually react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast number tends to support the US dollar, as it points to a strong economy and may keep interest rates higher for longer; a lower-than-forecast number often weighs on the dollar. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar, and both currencies and US stock indices can be very volatile around the release.

Forecast4.2%Previous4.2%

What it is

The unemployment rate is the share of the US labour force that has no job but is actively looking for one. It is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) together with the NFP report.

Why it matters

Employment is one of the Federal Reserve's two main goals alongside inflation, so this figure shapes expectations for interest rates and is closely watched.

Usual market reaction

Prices usually react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A lower-than-forecast unemployment rate tends to support the US dollar because it signals a strong job market, while a higher-than-forecast rate often weighs on it. Gold often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar, so it may find support when the dollar weakens.

What it is

Kazuo Ueda, Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ), gives a speech or public remarks about the economy and monetary policy.

Why it matters

The governor guides Japan's interest rate policy, so traders watch his words closely. It is usually seen as a high-importance event.

Usual market reaction

Traders usually listen for hints about whether the BOJ may raise interest rates or keep policy loose. If the tone is more hawkish than the market expects, the yen (JPY) often strengthens; if it is more dovish than expected, the yen tends to weaken. Prices can move sharply while he is speaking.