Economic Data

There are a series of press releases for economic data for each week, month, and quarter. The overall health of the economy is measured by these metrics and is new information that impacts the market. Some of these indicators act as a better barometer than others.

These releases can provide trading opportunities if you have a particular interest in that sector of the economy. Looking at the raw numbers and charts provide insights and opportunities.

The Briefing.com has a free economic calendar that is an excellent resource.

Investor's Business Daily economic calendar is another source

1st Business Day of the Month

Personal Income and Consumption.
This is released by The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce and this is for 2 months behind. So when reporting in March the numbers will be for January. This is used to confirm the trend of demand for the economy and is a gauge of inflation. Here is the raw data by the BEA and a chart is provided by TradingEcomomics.com. The core excludes food and energy, because of the price fluctuations.

Construction Spending
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce and this is for 2 months behind. So when reporting in March the numbers will be for January. This has significant revisions and is used to confirm the trend after several months. Here is the raw data and a chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

ADP Employment Change
This is released by the ADP Research Institute around the first of the month. This is used to gauge total employment in the US and is being used in conjunction with the Labor Report by the government. Here is a link to the report and the full report has charts.

Factory Orders
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce around the first business day of the month and this is for 2 months behind. So when reporting in March the numbers will be for January. This is used to. Here is the raw data in pdf format and a chart of this is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

1st - 3rd Business Day of the Month

Auto and Truck Sales
This is released by the individual auto makers for the previous month and is used as a gauge of inflation, because of sensitivity to interest rate changes. This is approximately 25% of total retail sales. A chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Leading Indicators
This is released by The Conference Board around the first few business days of the month for two months prior. Leading Indicators is a consolidation of these already reported numbers: new orders, jobless claims, money supply, average workweek, building permits, and stock prices. Here is the data.

First Friday of the Month

Employment Report
This is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the first Friday of the month for the previous month. This is still one of the most watched reports for it's impact on the market.

Here is the raw data and a press release as PDF.

Go to the News Release Charts Click on Show Data. The current month is at the raw data is at the bottom
Nonfarm Payrols
Nonfarm Private Payrolls
Unemployment Rate -
Avg. Hourly Earnings
Average Workweek

11th of the Month

Producers Price Index - PPI. This is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor around the 11th. This is a gauge of inflation of wholesale prices. Core PPI excludes food and energy, because those prices can fluctuate greatly. Here is the raw data and a chart of this is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

13th of the Month

Consumer Price Index. CPI. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor releases this around the 13th of each month for the previous month. This is used as gauge of inflation and consumer spending is about 70% of the US economy. Here is the raw data and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Retail Sales
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce around the 13th of the month for the previous month. This is the total receipts for retail stores and is tracked excluding auto. Here is the data and a chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

15th of the Month

Business Inventories
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce around the 15th of the month and this is for 2 months behind. So when reporting in March the numbers will be for January. This is the percentage change in inventories from manufacturing, retail, and wholesale. Here is the data and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

NAHB Housing Market Index - HMI
This is a survey released by the National Association of Housing Builders on the conditions for housing. This is released around the 15th of the month for the previous month. Here is the data by NAHB and the chart provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization
This is released by the Federal Reserve around the 15th of the month for the previous month. Industrial Production measures the finished product. Capacity Utilization. This is the throughput for manufacturing in the US and this is a percentage of the maximum amount that could be manufactured. This is a gauge of the overall health of the economy. Here is the data and the chart is provided by.charts are provided by TradingEconomics.com.

16th of the Month

Housing Starts and Building Permits
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce around the 16th of the month for the previous month. When breaking ground on construction building permits are often required and this is used to track construction. Here is the data and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Michigan Sentiment.
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is a monthly consumer confidence survey. Here is the data and the chart is available in PDF and Excel

25th of the Month

Existing Home Sales. The Existing Home Sales numbers by National Association of REALTORS® are for the previous month. This is a measure of the supply of the homes available. After a recession the demand for housing increases.

26th of the Month

Durable Goods Orders
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce around the 26th of the month for the previous month.
Here is the data in PDF format and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Average Work Week

Last Tuesday of the Month

Consumer Confidence

This is provided by The Conference Board on the last Tuesday of the month for the previous month. This is a survey on the overal opion for the current and future economic outlook. The chart and data are provided by Briefing.com

Last Business Day of the Month

New Home Sales
This is released by The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce around the last business day of the month for the previous month. Here is the data and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Chicago PMI
This is a regional release of the Purchasing Managers Index. It's released on the last business day of the month for the current month. Data and chart are provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Weekly Numbers

Initial Claims.
This comes out every Thursday morning and this is the number of new applicants that are filing for unemployment. This figure is watched as an indicator on how the Employment Report will be posted. These numbers are revised every week and the revisions can be significant. The data is provided by the US Dept of Labor and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.

Crude Inventories
This number is provided by U.S Energy Information Administration weekly numbers. This a gauge of the US reserve of oil and this impacts the demand for oil. Here is the data and the chart is provided by TradingEconomics.com.