Tuesday 24th October
02:00 AM ET
UK Unemployment Rate
What is it?
The ILO (International Labour Organisation) Unemployment Rate released by the National Statistics is the number of unemployed workers divided by the total civilian labor force. It is a leading indicator for the UK Economy. If the rate is up, it indicates a lack of expansion within the U.K. labor market. As a result, a rise leads to weaken the U.K. economy.
What to expect?
Generally, a decrease of the figure is positive (or bullish) for the GBP, while an increase is negative.
UK Unemployment Change
What is it?
Change in the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits during the previous month, released by the ONS (Office National Statistics). As the UK provides a lot of benefits to its population, requiring a lot of money, the more people that sign on, the money that will have to be pooled from the government’s budget to support people.
What to expect:
Generally, a decrease of the figure is positive (or bullish) for the GBP, while an increase is negative.
03:30 - 04:30 AM ET
Euro-Area PMI
What is it?
The Composite PMI Index measures the activity level of purchasing managers in both sectors (manufacturing and services). A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector; a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
The Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) provides an estimate of service sector business activity for the preceding month by using information obtained from a representative sector survey incorporating transport and communication, financial intermediation, business services, personal services, computing and IT and hotels and restaurants.
The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index is based on five individual indexes with the following weights: New Orders (30 percent), Output (25 percent), Employment (20 percent), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15 percent) and Stock of Items Purchased (10 percent), with the Delivery Times index inverted so that it moves in a comparable direction.
What to expect:
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the GBP or EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the GBP or EUR.
Wednesday October 25th
04:00 AM ET
German IFO data
- Expectations
What is it?
German Business Expectations rates the expectations of businesses in Germany for the following six months. It is a sub-index of the German Ifo Business Climate Index.
What to expect:
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
- Current Conditions
What is it?
The German Current Assessment rates current business conditions in Germany, without considering future expectations. It is a sub-index of the German Ifo Business Climate Index.
What to expect:
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
- Business Climate
What is it?
The German IFO Business Climate Index rates the current German business climate and measures expectations for the next six months. It is a composite index based on a survey of manufacturers, builders, wholesalers and retailers. The index is compiled by the IFO Institute for Economic Research.
What to expect:
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.
Thursday October 26th
08:15 AM ET
ECB Interest Rate Decision
What is it?
The European Central Bank (ECB) sets monetary policy for all members of the Eurozone. The highest decision-making body is the Governing Council which comprises the six members of the Executive Board and the 19 presidents of member central banks. Policy meetings take place roughly every six weeks but, due to the sheer number of participants, a rotation system has been introduced so that the total number of votes is capped at twenty-one.
What to expect:
The level of interest rates affects the economy. Higher interest rates tend to slow economic activity; lower interest rates stimulate economic activity. Either way, interest rates influence the sales environment. In the consumer sector, few homes or cars will be purchased when interest rates rise. Furthermore, interest rate costs are a significant factor for many businesses, particularly for companies with high debt loads or who have to finance high inventory levels. This interest cost has a direct impact on corporate profits. The bottom line is that higher interest rates are bearish for the stock market, while lower interest rates are bullish.
