Economic calendar

The Investing.com series of indexes is a unique set of indexes, developed in-house. Each index measures overall exposure to major currency pairs, commodities and indexes, using data from futures exchanges and OTC providers on all long and short open positions. The number displayed in the economic calendar is the percentage of traders who hold long positions for that specific instrument. A reading above 50% means that more than half of traders are holding long positions for that instrument. A reading between 50%-70% is bullish for the instrument, a reading between 30% and 50% is bearish, a reading above 70% indicates overbought conditions and a reading below 30% indicates oversold conditions.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) rates the relative level of current and future single-family home sales. The data is compiled from a survey of around 900 home builders. A reading above 50 indicates a favorable outlook on home sales; below indicates a negative outlook. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

The figures displayed in the calendar represent the rate on the Treasury Bill auctioned. U.S. Treasury Bills have maturities of a few days to one year. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital. The rate on a Treasury Bill represents the return an investor will receive by holding the bill for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid. Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.

The figures displayed in the calendar represent the rate on the Treasury Bill auctioned. U.S. Treasury Bills have maturities of a few days to one year. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital. The rate on a Treasury Bill represents the return an investor will receive by holding the bill for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid. Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.

Building Permits measures the change in the number of new building permits issued by the government. Building permits are a key indicator of demand in the housing market. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

Building Permits is a report closely watched by economists and investors alike. Since all related factors associated with the construction of a building are important economic activities (for example, financing and employment), the building permit report can give a major hint as to the state of the economy in the near future. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.

Housing starts measures the change in the annualized number of new residential buildings that began construction during the reported month. It is a leading indicator of strength in the housing sector. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

Housing Starts measures the change in the number of new constructions underway. The construction industry is one of the first to go into a recession when the economy declines but also to recover as conditions improve. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative

The Johnson Redbook Index is a sales-weighted of year-over-year same-store sales growth in a sample of large US general merchandise retailers representing about 9,000 stores. By dollar value, the Index represents over 80% of the equivalent 'official' retail sales series collected and published by the US Department of Commerce.A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD , while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

The Redbook Index is a sales-weighted of year-over-year same-store sales growth in a sample of large US general merchandise retailers representing about 9,000 stores. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.

The figures displayed in the calendar represent the rate on the Treasury Bill auctioned. U.S. Treasury Bills have maturities of a few days to one year. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital. The rate on a Treasury Bill represents the return an investor will receive by holding the bill for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid. Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.

The figures displayed in the calendar represent the rate on the Treasury Bill auctioned. U.S. Treasury Bills have maturities of a few days to one year. Governments issue treasuries to borrow money to cover the gap between the amount they receive in taxes and the amount they spend to refinance existing debt and/or to raise capital. The rate on a Treasury Bill represents the return an investor will receive by holding the bill for its entire duration. All bidders receive the same rate at the highest accepted bid. Yield fluctuations should be monitored closely as an indicator of the government debt situation. Investors compare the average rate at auction to the rate at previous auctions of the same security.

The American Petroleum Institute reports inventory levels of US crude oil, gasoline and distillates stocks. The figure shows how much oil and product is available in storage.The indicator gives an overview of US petroleum demand. If the increase in crude inventories is more than expected, it implies weaker demand and is bearish for crude prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is less than expected. If the increase in crude is less than expected, it implies greater demand and is bullish for crude prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is more than expected.

Fixed 30-year mortgage lending rates for 80% loan-to-value mortgage (source by MBA).

Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Mortgage Applications measures the change in the number of new applications for mortgages backed by the MBA during the reported week. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

MBA - Mortgage Bankers Association of America. The Purchase Index includes all mortgages applications for the purchase of a single-family home. It covers the entire market, both conventional and government loans, and all products. The Purchase Index has proven to be a reliable indicator of impending home sales.

MBA - Mortgage Bankers Association of America. The Market Index covers all mortgage applications during the week. This includes all conventional and government applications, all fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs), all adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), whether for a purchase or to refinance.

MBA - Mortgage Bankers Association of America. The Refinance Index covers all mortgage applications to refinance an existing mortgage. It is the best overall gauge of mortgage refinancing activity. The Refinance Index includes conventional and government refinances, regardless of product (FRM or ARM) or coupon rate refinanced into or out of.Seasonal factors are less significant in refinances than in home sales, however holiday effects are considerable.

The Current Account index measures the difference in value between exported and imported goods, services and interest payments during the reported month. The goods portion is the same as the monthly Trade Balance figure. Because foreigners must buy the domestic currency to pay for the nation's exports the data can have a sizable affect on the USD. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

Existing Home Sales measures the change in the number of existing (not new) residential buildings that were sold during the previous month. This report helps to gauge the strength of the U.S. housing market and is a key indicator of overall economic strength. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative

Existing Home Sales measures the change in the annualized number of existing residential buildings that were sold during the previous month. This report helps to gauge the strength of the U.S. housing market and is a key indicator of overall economic strength. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

The Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Crude Oil Inventories measures the weekly change in the number of barrels of commercial crude oil held by US firms. The level of inventories influences the price of petroleum products, which can have an impact on inflation. If the increase in crude inventories is more than expected, it implies weaker demand and is bearish for crude prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is less than expected. If the increase in crude is less than expected, it implies greater demand and is bullish for crude prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is more than expected.

Change in the number of barrels of crude oil held in storage at the Cushing, Oklahoma during the past week. Storage levels at Cushing are important because it serves as the delivery point for the U.S. crude oil benchmark, West Texas Intermediate.

The Energy Information Administration reports inventory levels of US crude oil, gasoline and distillates stocks. The figure shows how much oil and product is available in storage. The indicator gives an overview of US petroleum demand.

Gasoline Inventories measures the change in the number of barrels of commercial gasoline held in inventory by commercial firms during the reported week. The data influences the price of gasoline products which affects inflation. The data has no consistent effect, there are both inflationary and growth implications.

The Fed balance sheet is a statement listing the assets and liabilities of the Federal Reserve System. Details of the Fed's balance sheet are disclosed by the Fed in a weekly report called "Factors Affecting Reserve Balances."

OPEC meetings are attended by representatives from 13 oil-rich nations. They discuss a range of topics regarding energy markets and agree on how much oil they will produce. OPEC is responsible for nearly 40% of the world's oil supply.

Continuing Jobless Claims measures the number of unemployed individuals who qualify for benefits under unemployment insurance. A higher than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD.

Initial Jobless Claims measures the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time during the past week. As the week to week numbers might be very volatile, the four week moving average smooths the weekly data and used for the initial jobless claims metric A higher than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD.

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Manufacturing Index rates the relative level of general business conditions in Philadelphia. A level above zero on the index indicates improving conditions; below indicates worsening conditions. The data is compiled from a survey of about 250 manufacturers in the Philadelphia Federal Reserve district. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

The Philadelphia Fed Index, also known as the Business Outlook Survey, is a survey produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia which questions manufacturers on general business conditions. The index covers the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware region. Higher survey figures suggest higher production, which contribute to economic growth. Results are calculated as the difference between percentage scores with zero acting as the centerline point. As such, values greater than zero indicate growth, while values less than zero indicate contraction. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.

The Philadelphia Fed Regional Index is an indicator that measures the current conditions in the manufacturing sector in the district of Philadelphia, which is the third largest in the United States. Arises from a survey conducted by the Philadelphia Fed on the general health of the economy and businesses. Participants must indicate in the interview, according to its assessment, the changes from the previous month and the forecast for the next six months. The general index indicates growth when it is above zero and contraction when is below zero. Then there are various components, such as the prices paid, prices received, employment, hours worked, new orders and backlog of those, the delivery time and shipment orders.

The Philly Fed Employment number is the employment component out of the Philly fed index, probably the most important component of the Index. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative.

The Philadelphia Fed Regional Index is an indicator that measures the current conditions in the manufacturing sector in the district of Philadelphia, which is the third largest in the United States. Arises from a survey conducted by the Philadelphia Fed on the general health of the economy and businesses. Participants must indicate in the interview, according to its assessment, the changes from the previous month and the forecast for the next six months. The general index indicates growth when it is above zero and contraction when is below zero. Then there are various components, such as the prices paid, prices received, employment, hours worked, new orders and backlog of those, the delivery time and shipment orders.

The Philadelphia Fed Regional Index is an indicator that measures the current conditions in the manufacturing sector in the district of Philadelphia, which is the third largest in the United States. Arises from a survey conducted by the Philadelphia Fed on the general health of the economy and businesses. Participants must indicate in the interview, according to its assessment, the changes from the previous month and the forecast for the next six months. The general index indicates growth when it is above zero and contraction when is below zero. Then there are various components, such as the prices paid, prices received, employment, hours worked, new orders and backlog of those, the delivery time and shipment orders.

The House Price Index (HPI) is a broad measure of the movement of single-family house prices, with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This report helps to analyze the strength of the US housing market, which helps to analysis the economy as a whole. A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the USD, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the USD.

The HPI is published by OFHEO using data provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. House price index is a statistic designed to reflect the average change of house prices across the country or a certain area. A higher than expected number should be taken as positive to the USD, while a lower than expected number as negative

OFHEO's House Price Index (HPI) is a measure designed to capture changes in the value of single-family homes in the U.S. as a whole, in various regions of the country. The HPI is published by OFHEO using data provided by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. House price index is a statistic designed to reflect the average change of house prices across the country or a certain area. It ensures that the relative importance of different property types in different regions remains fixed throughout the life of the index. Different adjustment must be used as no two houses are identical. Therefore characteristics such as physical attributes of a house or its location should be included in the calculation if the index. Rising house prices are likely to increase consumer confidence and consumer spending which lead to rising aggregate demand. This can have two effects. On one hand it causes higher economic growth. However, on the other hand, it might contribute to inflation. Increased consumer spending is usually aimed at imported goods thus higher house prices cause current account deficit.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Natural Gas Storage report measures the change in the number of cubic feet of natural gas held in underground storage during the past week. While this is a U.S. indicator it tends to have a greater impact on the Canadian dollar, due to Canada's sizable energy sector. If the increase in natural gas inventories is more than expected, it implies weaker demand and is bearish for natural gas prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is less than expected. If the increase in natural gas is less than expected, it implies greater demand and is bullish for natural gas prices. The same can be said if a decline in inventories is more than expected.

The composite economic indexes are the key elements in an analytic system designed to signal peaks and troughs in the business cycle. The leading, coincident, and lagging economic indexes are essentially composite averages of several individual leading, coincident, or lagging indicators. They are constructed to summarize and reveal common turning point patterns in economic data in a clearer and more convincing manner than any individual component – primarily because they smooth out some of the volatility of individual components.

The U.S. Treasury has been issuing Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) since 1997. TIPS provide investors with protection against inflation: the principal of the TIPS increases with inflation and decreases with deflation. The Treasury sells these securities at regularly scheduled auctions. Competitive bids at these single-price auctions determine the interest rate paid on each issue, which remains fixed.

OPEC meetings are attended by representatives from 13 oil-rich nations. They discuss a range of topics regarding energy markets and agree on how much oil they will produce. OPEC is responsible for nearly 40% of the world's oil supply.

The Baker Hughes rig count is an important business barometer for the oil drilling industry. When drilling rigs are active they consume products and services produced by the oil service industry. The active rig count acts as a leading indicator of demand for oil products.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) report provides a breakdown of the net positions for "non-commercial" (speculative) traders in U.S. futures markets. All data corresponds to positions held by participants primarily based in Chicago and New York futures markets. The Commitments of Traders report is considered an indicator for analyzing market sentiment and many speculative traders use the data to help them decide whether or not to take a long or short position. Commitments of Traders (COT) data is released each Friday at 3:30pm Eastern Time, pending a holiday in the U.S., to reflect the commitments of traders on the prior Tuesday.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) report provides a breakdown of the net positions for "non-commercial" (speculative) traders in U.S. futures markets. All data corresponds to positions held by participants primarily based in Chicago and New York futures markets. The Commitments of Traders report is considered an indicator for analyzing market sentiment and many speculative traders use the data to help them decide whether or not to take a long or short position. Commitments of Traders (COT) data is released each Friday at 3:30pm Eastern Time, pending a holiday in the U.S., to reflect the commitments of traders on the prior Tuesday.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) report provides a breakdown of the net positions for "non-commercial" (speculative) traders in U.S. futures markets. All data corresponds to positions held by participants primarily based in Chicago and New York futures markets. The Commitments of Traders report is considered an indicator for analyzing market sentiment and many speculative traders use the data to help them decide whether or not to take a long or short position. Commitments of Traders (COT) data is released each Friday at 3:30pm Eastern Time, pending a holiday in the U.S., to reflect the commitments of traders on the prior Tuesday.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) report provides a breakdown of the net positions for "non-commercial" (speculative) traders in U.S. futures markets. All data corresponds to positions held by participants primarily based in Chicago and New York futures markets. The Commitments of Traders report is considered an indicator for analyzing market sentiment and many speculative traders use the data to help them decide whether or not to take a long or short position. Commitments of Traders (COT) data is released each Friday at 3:30pm Eastern Time, pending a holiday in the U.S., to reflect the commitments of traders on the prior Tuesday.