High-Powered Investing All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 3

Gathering and Interpreting Economic Data

In This Chapter

Understanding key economic reports

Surveying key U.S. data reports

Looking at important international economic reports

Fundamental economic data reports are among the most significant information inputs because policymakers and market participants alike use them to gauge the state of the economy, set monetary policy, and make investment decisions. From a trader's perspective, data reports are the routine catalysts that stir up markets and get things moving.

In this chapter, you discover how to factor the various reports into a broader view of the economic outlook for each particular country. This chapter also covers the major data reports from the United States and around the world to give you an idea of what they cover and how the forex market interprets them. Remember: Even more important than the data itself is the market's reaction to the data.

Making Sense of Economic Data

If you're like most people, you probably have a decent idea of what certain economic reports mean, like the unemployment rate or the consumer price index (CPI). But like lots of people, you probably don't have a strong idea of how to put ...