Economic Reports That Move Markets
Some days the whole market moves together because of one report or one policy decision. Here are the economic releases and events that matter most, when they come out and how they ripple into stock prices.
The big scheduled releases
| Report | How often | Usual release time (Eastern) | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jobs report | Monthly, usually first Friday | 8:30 a.m. | Hiring, unemployment and wages |
| Consumer Price Index (CPI) | Monthly | 8:30 a.m. | Inflation in everyday prices |
| GDP | Quarterly, with revisions | 8:30 a.m. | Total economic output |
| Fed rate decision | Eight meetings a year | 2:00 p.m. statement, 2:30 p.m. press conference | The Federal Reserve’s interest rate |
Release times are standard; check an economic calendar for exact dates.
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