News Notes

How to read the Forex Factory News Calendar and what it means

Economic News Calendar

Check the calendar daily to beware of news that could impact the market.
Open Forex Factory Calendar
Set these Filter Settings:
  • Click the green Filter icon
  • Select Red and Orange folders
  • Select All event types
  • Select USD for currencies
News trading note (Prop Firms)
Prop firm rules vary around high-impact news. Many firms restrict "news trading" and may require you to be flat (no open positions or working orders) starting 1–2 minutes before a major release and staying flat 1–2 minutes after. Always check your firm's specific policy and the exact event time before trading.
  • Avoid new entries right before the release; wait for the first spike to settle.
  • Expect wider spreads and slippage; use smaller size if you trade at all.
  • Know the exact time and event type (red/orange) before you click buy/sell.

High-impact news cheat sheet

Use this to understand why "red/orange" events can move the market.
Red
Highest impact
These often change expectations for rates, inflation, and growth—so futures reprice fast.
FOMC (all),   CPI m/m,   Core CPI m/m,   CPI y/y,   Non-Farm Employment Change,   Unemployment Rate,   Average Hourly Earnings m/m,   Core PCE Price Index m/m,   JOLTS Job Openings
Orange
Medium/high impact
These guide the "story" (growth, demand, inflation pressure) and can still cause sharp moves.
ADP Employment,   Flash Manufacturing PMI,   Flash Services PMI,   Employment Cost Index q/q,   Advance GDP q/q,   Advance GDP Price Index q/q,   Prelim UoM Inflation Expectations
Other
Speeches & major meetings
Not "data," but can still move markets if it changes expectations.
President speaks,   OPEC-JMMC meetings,   WEF annual meetings.