Forex Tips & Daily Analysis

Measures the level of a diffusion index based on surveyed consumers. Above 100.0 indicates optimism, below indicates pessimism. Financial confidence is a leading indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for a majority of overall economic activity.

The Information and Forschung (Ifo) Business Climate Index measures the mood of firms in manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail. The index is derived from a monthly survey of over 7,000 firms where respondents are asked to give their assessments of the current business situation and their expectations for the next six months.

Measures the quarterly difference in value between imported and exported goods, services, income flows, and unilateral transfers. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. The Current Account is a comprehensive accounting of the nation's trade with other countries. It includes the previously reported Trade Balance (which covers trade of goods and services), so traders focus on the income flows and unilateral transfer portions of the report.

Measures the value of sales at the retail level. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because Retail Sales make up a large portion of consumer spending, which is a major driver of the economy and has a sizable impact on GDP. Traders pay close attention to Retail Sales because it is usually the first significant indicator of the month that relates to consumer behavior and is susceptible to surprises.

Measures the Level of a diffusion index based on surveyed retailers and wholesalers. It's a leading indicator of economic health - businesses are immediately affected by market conditions, and changes in their sales volume can be an early signal of future economic activity such as spending, hiring, and investment;

Measures the annualized number of existing homes sold in the previous month. Existing Home Sales make up a larger portion of the housing market than New Home Sales, and therefore are an important indicator of trends in the housing market. This indicator is published monthly by the National Association of Realtors.

The testimony usually comes in two parts: first he reads a prepared statement (a text version is made available on the Fed's website at the start), then the committee will hold a question and answer session. Since the questions are not known beforehand they can make for some unscripted moments that lead to heavy market volatility. As head of the central bank, which controls short term interest rates, he has more influence over the nation's currency value than any other person. Traders scrutinize his public engagements as they are often used to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy.

Measures Change in the number of barrels of crude oil held in inventory by commercial firms during the past week; Usual Effect No clear effect, there are both inflationary and growth implications; Frequency Released weekly, 4 days after the week ends; FF Notes While this is a US indicator, it most affects the loonie due to Canada's massive oil sands; Why Traders Care It influences the price of petroleum products which affects inflation, but also impacts growth as many industries rely on oil to produce goods; Also Called Crude Stocks, Crude Levels; Acronyms Energy Information Administration (EIA);

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will speaks at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce annualy meeting where he will recieve an award and talk about the regional economy. As head of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which is responsible for setting the nation's short term interest rate, Ben Bernanke is arguably the most influential figure in the currency markets. Bernanke is known to drop clues during his speeches, as it is the FOMC's tenet to keep the public aware of their monetary policy long before interest rates are changes. Heavy market volatility is often experienced during Bernanke's speeches as traders attempt to decipher his clues.

BOE MPC members vote on where to set the nation's key interest rates and their public engagements are often used to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy.

The Corporate Services Price Index (CSPI) measures the rate of inflation experienced by corporations when purchasing services. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because when businesses pay more for services, they are likely to pass the higher costs to the consumer.

Measures the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services. A positive Trade Balance indicates that more goods and services were exported than imported over a given period. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. When higher levels of exports are sold to the world, demand for the nation's currency is elevated as foreigners convert their native currency to purchase the exports. The Trade Balance also has a sizable impact on GDP because high demand for exports creates increased employment and production, as domestic factories work to fill this demand.