Forex Followers

2/23/09

Using the Forex Calendar and Forex News

Market news

Latest Headlines:

  • EURO SLIGHTLY HIGHER AGAINST THE DOLLAR
  • USD/JPY BREAKS THE 95 BID ZONE



Forex Calendar

The economic events calendar provides you with the latest indicators and economic events from around the world. Using eToro’s Forex calendar will help you make better trading decisions. To learn more about economic indicators see our market news page for detailed description of different Forex related events.

eToro Forex Calendar

Forex trading is serious business where big money changes hands within seconds. As with any serious business one needs to be aware of the current market situation at all times and have one's finger always on the pulse.

This is why we are proud to introduce the eToro forex calendar, a tool that you will shortly come to heavily rely on for your trading decisions. Our forex calendar is located in a screen easily accessible from the main platform screen, so you can check the forex calendar at any point during your trading activity.

The forex calendar is a tool that tells you when major events take place in the world of forex. By major events we mean announcements and figures release by various financial institutions and policy making bodies. These announcements have a major effect on the forex market since they give clear indications of various factors in global economies. The principles of fundamental analysis state that because currencies are invariably affected by their respective economies, by observing the changes in global economies one can predict the movements of currencies in the forex market.

Another reason that a forex calendar is a tool that is crucial to forex traders is that it determines the time when forex traders will choose to trade. Due to the fact that these financial announcements present hard figures that reflect the state of global economies, most traders and major financial institutions will open trades based on these figures immediately after the announcements. This means that the forex market is particularly volatile in the short time after each announcement, with currency rates rising and dropping radically. Radical changes in the forex market mean the opportunity to make bigger profits (although it is riskier to trade during these times). It is important that you consult the eToro forex calendar on a daily basis at least, because you may want to save your trading till after a particular announcement.

In the forex calendar you will have a few indicators to look out for. First and foremost you must of course note the date and time of the announcement. The next thing will be the currency that the particular announcement will affect. Most announcements in the forex calendar affect only one single currency. Announcements that have a more international scope are very rare. The most important thing about a forex calendar event is its impact – indicated in the eToro calendar by the color of the flame next to the event's name, ranging from yellow to red. Simply put, yellow means that you can afford to skip this one, while red means that you should put aside anything else you have going at that time and give your undivided attention to this announcement.

The forex calendar is something that you should plan your week around as a forex trader. Use the eToro forex calendar to become more aware of the global situation in the forex market, and of course to become a better and more successful trader.










2/11/09

Forex Market News - Instructions For Withdrawing Funds

Market news

Latest Headlines:

  • JPY higher against the Dollar
  • Dollar correcting some losses against the US Euro
  • Dollar fighting back



Withdrawing Funds

Want to withdraw funds from your account? No problem!

eToro makes sure that taking money out of your account is as simple as putting it in.

Please follow these steps:

  • Log into eToro using your Real Trading account username and password.
  • Click "Account Balance".
  • Click "Withdraw".
  • Enter the amount you would like to withdraw.
  • Select the payment method by which you would like to get funded (* eToro reserves the rights to refund traders via the original payment method they used when initially funding their trading account).
  • Click "Submit".
  • Print out the withdrawal form.
  • Click “Submit Request” (to review your withdrawal request, go to the “Cashier” section, then go to “History”).

First time withdrawal requests must be accompanied by:

  • A copy of Passport / Photo ID
  • A copy of both sides of the Credit Card that has been used to fund the trading account
  • A copy of a recent utility bill

If at any point you encounter problems please do not hesitate to contact us at: support@eToro.com. If you have specific funding and/or billing questions and concerns, contact us at: accounting@eToro.com. We are committed to assisting you in every way possible.

Traders are required to send signed withdrawal requests every time they wish to withdraw funds. While we realize that this is inconvenient to you and while we apologize for the hassle, this is an anti-money-laundering policy that we must abide by (*eToro reserves the rights to delay and/or stop withdrawal requests until final approval has been received).

Withdrawal requests take five business days to process (*some withdrawal methods are carried out by a third party and therefore delays may be beyond eToro’s control). If at any point before process completion you wish to cancel your request, simply go to the “Cashier” section. You will be notified via email once the processing of your withdrawal request has been completed.

Credit card withdrawals are limited to Visa credit cards, and are subject to the credit card company's approval.

For Your Information:

  • eToro reserved the right to combine any withdrawal requests that are made within 24 hours by the same payment method into one payment.
  • eToro reserved the right to allow bonus withdrawals only after all bonus policy requirements have been fulfilled (to view our bonus policy please visit the Terms and Conditions section).
  • Wire transfer withdrawals are subjected to a $25 fee. Bank draft withdrawals are not subjected to any fees.








2/10/09

Forex Market News Plus Deposit Instructions

Market news

Latest Headlines:

  • Sterling Volatility picks up
  • Euro continues to plod higher vs the Sterling



Funding your account

Depositing funds into your eToro trading account is fast and straightforward. Simply follow these easy steps and you’ll be ready to trade in no time. For your convenience, we have provided various methods with which you can fund your account, simply choose whichever method you prefer. (*To ensure absolute security and privacy of transactions and data, eToro uses Secure Socket Layer technology.)

In order to start trading you must first create an eToro trading account. In order to do that you must first download the forex software and install eToro. Once you’ve completed this step, you can proceed to open a Real Account. This will provide you with a username and password which you must use to log in. Once you’ve done this, go to “Account Balance,” then to “Deposit”.

You can now deposit funds into your eToro trading account. Below you’ll find instructions showing you how to deposit via Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Paypal, Neteller, Western Union, Moneygram and Webmoney.

Credit Card:

To deposit via Credit Card, please click the “Credit Card” option.

Complete the given form.

Within minutes your account should be credited with funds. (If your request is not approved you will be notified via email).

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via Credit Card:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $50
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $1,000
Maximum Deposit Limit per Month: $5,000

Wire Transfer:

To deposit via Wire Transfer, you must click the “Wire Transfer” option after having clicked “Deposit”.

Enter the amount you wish to deposit.

Click "Continue".

Presently you will receive your Wire Transfer details.

Print this information out.

Go to any bank and forward your Wire Transfer to eToro's bank.

Indicate the transaction reference number in Payment Details field.

Within 5 days you shall receive a bank confirmation.

This confirmation will indicate that your trading account has been credited (you will receive an email notification).

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via Wire Transfer:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $500
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $5,000
Maximum Deposit Limit per Month: $10,000

PayPal:

IMPORTANT: If you wish to credit your eToro account via PayPal you must have an existing PayPal account.

To deposit via PayPal, click the “PayPal” option after having clicked “Deposit”.

Enter the amount you wish to deposit.

You will be redirected to the PayPal website where you will be asked to enter your email and password in order to log in.

Review the transaction and once you've made sure that all the details are correct, click “Pay”.

Within minutes your account should be credited with funds. (If your request is not approved, you will be notified via email).

Means of funding your PayPal account

CountryMethods
Ireland3V, AMEX
ItalyVisa Electron, PostePay, Aurora
FranceAurora, Confimoga, Cofidis
NetherlandsGiro bank transfer
United KingdomMaestro, Visa Electron, AMEX, Solo, Direct Debit
SpainAurora, Bank Transfer
ChinaICBC, CMB, CCB, ChinaPay
All countriesVisa, MC, Bank Transfer

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via PayPal:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $50
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $5,000
Maximum Deposit Limit per Month: $10,000

Western Union:

To deposit via Western Union you must visit an authorized Western Union office. To locate the nearest Western Union office please click on "Choose Western Union Agent". In some countries it is possible to transfer the funds online.

Transfers should be made to:

Receiver: Oana Raluca Timofte:
City: Limassol
Country: Cyprus EURO (Choose Option 1: Cyprus EURO)

You will now be issued a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN)

Contact our Customer Support Department at: support@retailfx.com and provide them with the following information:

  1. Your full name
  2. Transaction amount in USD
  3. Currency
  4. City and country from which the money was sent
  5. The MTCN (a 10 digit number)

Within fifteen minutes your account should be credited with funds.

** To know more about RetailFX Limited, please see information below.

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via Western Union:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $500
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $5,000
Maximum Deposit Limit per Month: $10,000

MoneyGram:

To deposit via MoneyGram you must visit an authorized MoneyGram office. To locate the nearest MoneyGram offices please click on "Find MoneyGram Agent". In some countries it is possible totransfer the funds online.

Transfers should be made to:

Receiver: Oana Raluca Timofte:
City: Limassol
Country: Cyprus EURO

After deposit, you will be issued with a Transaction Reference Number

Contact our Customer Support Department at: support@retailfx.com and provide them with the following information:

  1. Your full name
  2. Transaction amount in USD
  3. Currency
  4. City and country from which the money was sent
  5. The MTCN number (a 8 digit number)

Within fifteen minutes your account should be credited with funds.

** To know more about RetailFX Limited, please see information below.

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via Western Union:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $500
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $5,000
Maximum Deposit Limit per Month: $10,000

Neteller:


To deposit via Neteller, you must click the “Neteller” option after having clicked “Deposit”.

Complete the given form, including your Secure ID and Neteller account number.

Within minutes your account should be credited with funds. (If your request is not approved you will be notified via email).

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via Neteller:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $50 
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $10,000

Moneybookers:

IMPORTANT: If you wish to credit your eToro account via Moneybookers you must have an existing Moneybookers account.

To deposit via Moneybookers, click the “Moneybookers” option after having clicked “Deposit”.

Enter the amount you wish to deposit and your Moneybookers account email (If you don’t have a Moneybookers account, click “click here” at the bottom part of the page).

You will be redirected to the Moneybookers website where you will be asked to enter your password in order to log in.

You will then have 2 options: depositing from your account balance at Moneybookers, or depositing by one of the following credit cards: JCB, Diners, or American Express.

Means of funding your Moneybookers account:

CountryMethods
DenmarkDankort
ItalyPostepay, CartaSi
FranceCarte Blueue
GermanyGiropay, Sofortuberweisung, Lastschrift (ELV)
AustriaEPS, Maestro
AustraliaPoli
NetherlandiDEAL
PolandPrzelewy24
SingaporeEnets
UKSolo, Maestro
Finland, SwedenSolo
SpainMaestro
OtherJCB, AMEX, Dinners, Delta/Visa debit card, VISA electron

Review the transaction and once you've made sure that all the details are correct, click “Pay”.

Within minutes your account should be credited with funds. (If your request is not approved, you will be notified via email).

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via Moneybookers:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $50 
Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $5,000

WebMoney

To deposit via Webmoney, click the “WebMoney” option after having clicked “Deposit”.

Enter the amount you wish to deposit and your WebMoney ID (If you don’t have a WebMoney account, click on the “click here” at the bottom part of the page).

You will be redirected to a WebMoney page where you will be asked to approve the transaction details. Approve the details by clicking the “Pay” button.

Then you will be asked to choose the way to authenticate yourself, and click “Next”.

The next page will show the final details of the transaction. If you have more than one WebMoney purse defined in your WebMoney account, please select it, and click “Confirm and Payment”.

Within minutes your account should be credited with funds. (If your request is not approved, you will be notified via email).

Means of funding you WebMoney account:

CountryMethods
Dollar countriesWMZ prepaid card
Euro countriesWME prepaid card
Russian countriesWMR prepaid card
UkraineWMU prepaid card
All countriesBank transfer

* The following limitations apply when funding your account via WebMoney:

Minimum Single Deposit Limit: $50

Maximum Single Deposit Limit: $50,000









2/6/09

Forex Market News Feb. 6, 2009

Market opens back up Monday



Market Hours

The Forex market is open 24 hours, five days a week (not much market activity during weekends) so you can go ahead and trade day or night.

Below you will find the Market Hours in Eastern Standard Time (EST) for four of the world’s largest financial centers:

  • Tokyo Market Hours: 7:00 pm to 4:00 am EST
  • New York Market Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST
  • London Market Hours: 3:00 am to 12:00 noon EST
  • Sydney Market Hours: 5:00 pm to 2:00 am EST

All trades will automatically close out in eToro real money mode when market closes at the end of the week. Closing rates will be posted during the weekend in the trading log section in eToro lobby. All real money accounts will be open during the weekend and all traders are welcome to view their trading account info.

eToro enables you to continue practicing your trading skills on virtual money even if markets are closed or inactive.

In Back In Time Mode you can continue practicing your trading skills, competing in championships, and winning prizes (every hour of every day of every month of every year!) as eToro will be running on historical (but very real) rates.





1/27/09

Market News - January 27, 2009


Latest Headlines:

  • JPY continue its volitily
  • US Consumer confidence Figure as expected
  • GBP on a positive Trend
  • Euro continued to plod higher

Forex overview

What is Forex? Forex is an abbreviation of Foreign Exchange (also referred to as FX) and it is the largest financial market in the world.

The Forex market is the place where currencies are traded (currencies are money that is used as an exchange medium). In other words, it is the place where currencies are being sold and bought. In the Forex market all currencies are traded in real time.

Trading with currencies always means that there are two simultaneous transactions taking place. If a currency is being bought, it is also being sold. To better understand this notion, think of currencies as both the goods you are buying AND the method with which you're paying for the goods.

Since the Forex market is the place where currencies are traded in real time, people may trade one currency for another and make a profit off of this transaction. Profits are made when one is able to determine which currency's value will increase by the end of a pre-determined time period (such time periods may be short or long). The Forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week and it is based in four major cities: New York, London, Sydney, and Tokyo. The Forex market is open to individuals over the age of eighteen.

While Forex trading may sound daunting, it really isn’t. It can be easily comprehended and understood without prior experience in finance or economy. It is challenging and exciting, thought provoking and manageable, stimulating and filled with opportunities.

Some Forex Basics:

  • The first currency listed in a currency pair is called the "base currency".
  • The “base currency” is usually the U.S. Dollar. Traders will generally trade the U.S. Dollar against another currency, which is called the “counter currency”.
  • Currencies are quoted in pairs. For example: The pair U.S. Dollar and JPY will be quoted in the following way: USD/JPY equals to 2.5 (This means that 1 U.S. Dollar can buy 2.5 JPY).
  • When a quote increases, it means that the “base currency” has risen in value and the “counter currency” has weakened in value. For example: If the USD/JPY quote used to be equal to 2.5 but is now equal to 2.6, then this means that the dollar has strengthened (because 1 U.S. Dollar can now buy 2.6 JPY as opposed to the mere 2.5 JPY it could buy beforehand.)

Now that you know a thing or two about the Foreign Exchange market, we invite you to explore eToro—the Revolutionary Forex Trading Platform. You too can make your mark in the Foreign Exchange market. Use eToro as your gateway to the ever-growing world of Forex trading.



1/21/09

Market News January 22, 2009

Latest Headlines:

  • Dollar continues to plod higher vs the Euro
  • Sterling - Goodbye or Good buy???
  • Yen Strong against US Dollar
  • Sterling Lowest rate since 1985 against US Dollar

Welcome to the eToro Trading Challenge

If you have opened an eToro demo or real trading account you're already participating in our trading challenge as we speak!

If not, this is your opportunity to become a challenger and win fantastic prizes!

Trading Challenge – for Demo traders

The Trading Challenge is designed to test your forex trading skills and reward traders with great forex trading potential. All traders with demo eToro accounts are automatically entered in the Trading Challenge, all you have to do is practice your trading. The 30 traders with the most demo profits for the week win fantastic cash prizes to help them jump start their real trading career.

Winning a Trading Challenge doesn't just entitle you to great prizes, it is also a confirmation that you have what it takes to potentially become a great forex trader and that you are ready to trade for real. It also gives you a significant advantage in winning better and bigger prizes in the real Trading Challenge. Log into the platform and check your profile to see your current rank and the top 10 challengers.

Trading Challenge – for real traders

The eToro Trading Challenge is a way for us to encourage our traders to strive for excellence and to improve their forex trading skills. All traders with an eToro real trading account automaticallyparticipate in the Trading Challenge. All you have to do is trade in real trading mode, and you can be one of the winners to share a $10,000 prize pool!

The 30 traders with the most real profits for the week win amazing cash prizes to reward their dedication and forex brilliance.Remember, prize money combined with superior forex skills are a great recipe for increased profits and an advantage in next month's challenge!




1/20/09

Market News - January 20, 2009

Latest Headlines:

  • Yen gains to record highs against Pound Sterling
  • Sterling; Goodbye or Good buy???
  • Yen Volatility picks up
  • Dollar stronger against Euro

1/19/09

Market News - January 19, 2009

Latest Headlines:

  • 09:30 ECB TRICHET'S SPEECH
  • Sterling; Goodbye or Good buy???
  • Yen Volatility picks up


eToro's advantages

We are proud to offer you the complete forex experience that is the eToro trading platform. Here are just a few factors that make eToro stand head and shoulders above the competition:

User-Friendliness. Our platform is designed to make sure that you don't have to waste time working out how to trade. Our revolutionary interface does that for you, so you can concentrate on making trading decisions that really matter, with one click. Whatever your style of trading, all the forex tools of your fancy are at your fingertips.

Simplicity. With our simple and visual platform, even the most novice trader can learn how to use it in no time. By representing trading activity in a simple visual manner we give you the opportunity to learn and understand forex.

Innovation. We are committed to staying at the forefront of the online forex revolution which means constantly growing and evolving in order to provide you with the best forex trading experience.

No Commissions. We charge absolutely zero commissions on all forex trading activity, including no rollover fees. On top of that we offer bottom low spreads - as low as 2 pips and an unbelievably low initial margin requirement of just $50.

Reliability. We are backed by leading forex brokers and are confident in our superb trading capabilities. Your trades are executed immediately and with excellent precision. Rest assured that your trades are safe with us.

Practice. We see forex as an ongoing learning experience, and we see no reason why you should risk your money while trying out new strategies. Our demo mode offers unlimited trading for live market rates, so you can innovate without risking a cent.

Personal Service. We take our customers personally and provide a top notch customer service. Our professional and friendly representatives are there to answer any questions 24 hours a day.

Community. We are keen on developing an active and diverse community of users because we believe that there is a lot to be gained from discussing forex with your fellow traders. We nurture a vital and thriving forex trading community via lively forums and chats.





1/16/09

All New - Market News

Market news

Latest Headlines:
US JOBLESS CLAIMS 524K
US CORE PPI -1.9%
ECB CUT RATE BY 50BP
ECB TRICHET'S SPEECH

Latest Headlines from Financial Times:
Euro drifts lower after ECB rate cut

ECB cuts rates to lowest in three years

China's foreign reserve expansion slows

Shift to dollar sees ruble plumb new low




TRADING THE WORLD

World events affect the Foreign Exchange Market. Or rather, world events affect supply and demand forces, which then affect the Foreign Exchange market. World events (political, social, governmental, etc) and other economic factors shift the supply and demand forces constantly, which in return shift the price of one currency in relation to another.

Tuning in to what’s happening in the world is a very smart trading strategy as again and again we witness that the Foreign Exchange market undergoes movements soon after major news and/or economic reports are released. The size of the country determines the amount, and the frequency of its news/reports releases, and therefore it may be more useful (at first at least!) to trade currencies of economies that have plenty of releases (such as, for example: USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF).

Useful Information:

Always Remember that the healthier a nation is, the better its economy will perform (and consequently, the stronger its currency will be)!! Health is measured (amongst other factors) by high employment levels, retail sales, capacity utilization, and gross domestic product. It is also measured by low government deficits and by little fluctuation in inflation.

To determine a nation’s health, look for reports on: (The below examples are taken from the US market)

Employment Growth
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Trade Balance
Interest Rate decisions
Retail Sales
Durable Goods
Inflation reports
Foreign Purchases report (TIC Data)

What do reports mean? Here are a few examples:

Employment:
Jobless Claims is released weekly and it measures how many people filed for unemployment insurance for their first time. The less people have applied, the better the economy is doing, because unemployed people tend to spend less money, which has a bad effect on the nation’s economy.

US: Nonfarm Payrolls is released monthly and it measures the number of new jobs created (excluding the farming industry). The more new jobs, the stronger the nation’s currency is, because the more people work, the more money they earn, the more money they are likely to spend.

Consumption:
Core PCE Price Index: measures the rate of inflation experienced by people; it reflects the price change in consumer goods and services (excluding Food and Energy). Large price changes have a negative effect on the economy, because they introduce uncertainty, and uncertainty inclines people to spend less.

Retail Sales: is released once a month and measures the value of retail sales. A rising trend means that the nation’s economy is growing stronger, because it means that people are spending more.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) Annualized: measures the value of all goods and services that are produced by the nation’s economy. A rising trend means that the nation’s economy is growing stronger. It encourages people to invest in the domestic stock and bond markets, and attracts foreign investors.

Trade Balance: measures the value of the difference between imported and exported goods and services. A positive trade balance means that more goods and services were exported than imported. A rising trend means that the nation's currency is growing stronger, because the higher the demand for exports, the higher the employment and production rates in the exporting country. This usually means that foreigners will convert their currencies to purchase the currency of the exporter.

CPI—Consumer Price Index In simple terms, CPI measures the increase of price in a fixed basket of goods and services (such as food, transport, housing etc’). A higher CPI means that the price of the basket has increased and it now costs more to buy the same basket of goods. A rising trend has a positive effect on the economy (and consequently on the currency), because it reflects that people are able to purchase the goods and services despite the price increases.

Real Estate:
US: New Home Sales: The new home sales figure serves as a great indicator for the general direction of the economy. An upwards trend in new home sales suggests that all is well in the construction industry and that the nation’s consumers can afford to make large purchases. New home owners tend to purchase a large amount of goods, while construction companies need to hire workers and buy materials, thus creating a positive ripple effect in the nation’s economy and an encouraging effect on its currency.

US: Pending Home Sales: measures activity in existing (not new) home sales. This includes single-family homes, condos and co-ops. The higher the demand for housing, the better the economy is doing, because people must feel comfortable enough in order to invest in homes. Also, such investments are usually accompanied by purchases—electronic equipment, furniture—and revenues for realtors, both of which are good for the economy.

US: Housing Starts measures how much construction began on new residential buildings. The higher the number, the better that nation’s currency, because it indicates that the construction industry is healthy and that people are investing in it.

Manufacture:
US: ISM Mfg Index measures the activity of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector. A rising trend means that the nation's currency is growing stronger. Purchasing managers are good indicators since they have access to a company’s performance, which oftentimes goes hand in hand with overall economic performances.

Industrial Production measures the value of output produced by factories, mines, and utilities. A rising trend means that the nation's currency is growing stronger, because high values indicate that large amounts of product are being manufactured and sold, and hence that people earn and spend money.

Producers Price Index examines differences in the selling prices of goods and services within Euro-zone producers. Since producers tend to increase retail prices as a result of higher production costs, PPI may be counted as an indicator for inflation. A higher PPI may result in higher interest rates determined by the European Central Bank. A falling PPI points at declining prices, and thus hints at an upcoming economic recession.

Durable Goods Orders: measures the value of goods with a life expectancy of more than 3 years, purchased by consumers looking for domestic manufacturing. This indicator predicts how busy the manufacturers are likely to be, since they need to work to fill the orders. Therefore, a rising trend will have a positive impact on the nation's currency.

Rate Announcements:
UK: BOE Announcement — the Bank of England (BOE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) votes every month on where to set the nation's short-term interest rate.

EU:ECB Announcement — the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council votes every month on where to set the union’s short-term interest rate.

US: FED Announcement — the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) votes eight times a year.

Shortly after each vote, the outcome is released (the BOE Announcement; the EU:ECB Announcement, and the FED Announcement). It is accompanies by a brief commentary on the economic conditions that effected the outcome. Interest rates depend mostly on inflation. The objective is to keep prices stable, so when inflation rises above an annualized rate of 2%, banks will usually raise interest rates in order to bring prices down. High interest rates attract foreign investors, who increase the demand for that nation's currency. This is to say that a rising trend in interest rates has a positive effect on the nation's economy.

FOMC Meeting Minutes:
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes give people insight into the decisions that have been made with regard to interest rate and policy shifts.

Surveys:
EU: ZEW (Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung) Survey provides the opinions of financial experts with regard to the economic outlook for Europe. Every month the difference between investors that expect a growth in the economy and those that expect a decline is measured.

US: Chicago PMI measures the health of the Chicago business environment. Every month purchasing managers respond to a survey with regard to their organization's activity (whether it is higher than, the same as, or lower than it was in the previous month) in terms of output, purchases, employment, inventories, orders, and prices.

NET TIC—Treasury International Capital (TIC) Reviews the flow of money market funds (such as stocks, bonds etc’) to and from the United States. The key figure, expressed in millions of dollars, represents the difference between American spending of foreign securities and foreign spending of American securities. This is a major indicator of the American economy and gives insight into foreign demand for American investments and dollars. For example, if the US purchased $5 billion in foreign securities and foreigners purchased $20 billion in long-term US securities, then the net reading would be $15 billion.

Consumer Confidence: measures consumer attitudes towards economic conditions, how they evaluate future economic prospects. Higher readings suggest consumer optimism; this is to say that consumers are optimistic about economic prospects. As a result consumers tend to purchase more, which in return stimulates the economy.

Consumer sentiment: Measures consumer attitudes concerning both the present situation and future expectations. It's derived from a monthly 500-person survey conducted by the University of Michigan. Higher sentiment levels are a leading indicator of rising consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the economy.

A few more things worth knowing:

In general it can be said that news releases that follow expected reports do not cause strong market movements. Differences between the market expectations and the news release may cause market volatility which in turn might lead to a developing trend in a specific direction. Such opportunities are usually short-lived; they may last for only a few minutes or even a few seconds.

Markets in which constant movements occur will usually not be as strongly affected by news releases. A quiet market may move more significantly because of a news release.
DON’T FORGET : No matter how many current events you follow and news releases you absorb, and no matter how familiar you are with the Foreign Exchange market and its trends--Trading always involves a risk!!!


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