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.

Wednesday 4 November 2026Today

NZD NZ Unemployment RateUnemployment Rate Forecast 5.5%Previous 5.6%
What it is
The share of people actively looking for work compared with New Zealand's total labour force, published quarterly by Stats NZ.
Why it matters
It is a key job-market gauge that the RBNZ considers when deciding on interest rates, so it is usually an important release for the NZD.
Usual market reaction
Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. Here a lower number means a stronger job market, so a lower-than-forecast rate usually supports the NZD, while a higher-than-forecast rate tends to weigh on it. This is because the market may then expect the RBNZ to ease policy more.
NZD NZ Employment Change (q/q)Employment Change q/q Forecast 0.4%Previous 0.5%
What it is
The quarterly change in the number of employed people in New Zealand, published by Stats NZ.
Why it matters
The job market shows how healthy the economy is and affects inflation pressure, which the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) weighs when setting interest rates. It is usually an important release for the NZD.
Usual market reaction
Prices react to the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result usually supports the New Zealand dollar, as it may suggest the RBNZ is in less of a hurry to cut rates. A lower-than-forecast result tends to weigh on the NZD.
NZD Labour Cost Index (QoQ) – New ZealandLabor Cost Index q/q Forecast 0.5%Previous 0.7%
What it is
A quarterly release from Stats NZ that measures changes in the salaries and wages employers pay for the same work.
Why it matters
Rising wages can feed into inflation, so the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) follows it closely. Its importance is usually moderate.
Usual market reaction
Markets look at the actual figure compared with the forecast. A higher-than-forecast result may point to inflation pressure and suggest the RBNZ could keep interest rates high for longer, which usually supports the NZD. A lower-than-forecast result tends to weigh on the NZD.
NZD ANZ Commodity Prices (MoM) – New ZealandANZ Commodity Prices m/m Previous 0.6%
What it is
A monthly index from ANZ Bank that tracks changes in the prices of New Zealand's main export commodities, such as dairy, meat and forestry products.
Why it matters
New Zealand relies heavily on farm and commodity export income, so price changes reflect the country's earnings. Its importance is usually low to moderate.
Usual market reaction
Markets look at the actual figure compared with the forecast. A larger-than-expected rise in commodity prices tends to support the NZD because export income may improve, while a fall or a weaker-than-expected result tends to weigh on it. The reaction is usually modest.
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.
CNY RatingDog Services PMI (China)RatingDog Services PMI Forecast 51.7Previous 51.6
What it is
This is a survey-based index of activity in China's private services sector, compiled by S&P Global (previously known as the Caixin PMI).
Why it matters
A reading above 50 indicates the services sector is expanding, and below 50 indicates contraction. Traders use it to gauge China's economy, which affects global sentiment. It is usually a medium-impact release.
Usual market reaction
Markets compare the actual figure with the forecast. A PMI higher than forecast usually supports the yuan (CNY) and China-sensitive assets such as the Australian dollar, while a lower reading tends to weigh on them. The effect on gold and Asian stock indices often follows overall risk sentiment.

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