Non-Farm Payrolls is released:

First Friday of each month. NFP is released on the first Friday of every month and is one of the most impactful events.

Before a high-impact news event, you should:

Widen stops or close positions. High-impact news causes volatility spikes that can hit tight stops. Either widen or exit.

Courses / Trading Fundamentals

Economic Calendar

Tracking market-moving events

The economic calendar is an essential tool listing upcoming economic data releases and events that move markets. Understanding it is crucial for every trader.

Event impact levels: 🔴 High Impact: Can move markets 50-200+ pips (NFP, CPI, FOMC, GDP) 🟡 Medium Impact: Can move markets 20-50 pips (PMI, Retail Sales) 🟢 Low Impact: Usually 5-15 pip movements

Most important events: 1. Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) — First Friday of every month. Measures US job creation. 2. CPI (Consumer Price Index) — Measures inflation. Fed watches this closely. 3. FOMC Meetings — Fed interest rate decisions, 8 times per year. 4. GDP — Measures economic growth, quarterly.

Trading rules around news: - Widen stops or close positions 15 minutes before high-impact events - Wait for the volatility to settle (5-15 min after) before entering - Never trade without checking the calendar first

Pro tip: Use ScaleEdge's Calendar page to see upcoming events in real-time.

Pro tip: The market often "prices in" expected data — the surprise factor is what moves price.

Common mistake: Opening trades right before major economic releases. Better: Either close positions before news or widen your stops significantly.

Common mistake: Ignoring the economic calendar entirely. Better: Check it every morning before you start trading. One unexpected event can wipe out your gains..

Key takeaways

Always check the economic calendar before trading
NFP, CPI, FOMC are the biggest market movers
High-impact events can move markets 50-200+ pips
Either widen stops or sit out during major releases

Quiz

Non-Farm Payrolls is released: Answer: First Friday of each month. NFP is released on the first Friday of every month and is one of the most impactful events.
Before a high-impact news event, you should: Answer: Widen stops or close positions. High-impact news causes volatility spikes that can hit tight stops. Either widen or exit.

Educational content, not financial advice.