Economic projections are collected from each member of the Board of Governors and each Federal Reserve Bank president four times a year, in connection with the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC’s) usual two-day meetings (typically held in January, April, June, and November). Several charts and a table that summarize those projections are released at the Chairman's press conference within hours of the meeting. Three weeks later, more detailed information is provided in the Summary of Economic Projections, which is published with the minutes of the FOMC meeting.

The announcement of whether the Federal Reserve has increased, decreased or maintained the key interest rate. The FOMC meets eight times per year to decide on monetary policy. After each meeting policy decisions are announced. The main task of the FOMC is to set the monetary stance by fixing the overnight borrowing rate, which essentially sets short-term lending rates in the US. Through this mechanism, the FOMC attempts to affect price levels in order to keep inflation within the target range while maintaining stable economic growth and employment.

The Federal Reserve's Cash Rate Target decision significantly influences financial markets. Changes in rates affect interest rates for consumer loans, mortgages, bonds, and the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar. Increases in rates or even expectations of increases tend to cause the Dollar to appreciate, while rate decreases cause the currency to depreciate. Unlike most central banks, the Federal Reserve does not announce an official target inflation rate, arguing independence and flexibility is necessary to implement monetary policy effectively.

The Federal Reserve issues a statement with every rate announcement. Because the decision itself is usually highly anticipated, the wording of the FOMC statement is usually as important if not more important than the actual interest rate move made by the central bank. The FOMC statement contains the Fed's collective outlook on the economy as well as hints about future monetary policy while the change to interest rates is nothing more than a number. The statement provides clues on plans for the future. When it comes to interest rates, the future direction of rates is usually far more important than its current rate

Ramifications for the U.S. Dollar

Interest rate hike : The US dollar generally rallies on the back of an interest rate hike because the hike increases the yield offered by US assets. This attracts foreign investment into the US which tends to be positive for the dollar. The strength of the reaction will depend on how much the market has already priced in the decision as well as the whether the FOMC statement hints at more rate hikes to come.

Interest rate cut : An interest rate cut tends to be perceived as bearish for the US dollar because the cut reduces the yield offered by US assets. The perception is that the economy has weakened enough that the Federal Reserve is forced to either reduce monetary tightening or increase the stimulus in the market to reignite growth. The strength of the reaction will depend on how much the market has already priced in the decision as well as whether the FOMC statement hints that more rate cuts are to come.

Rates Left Unchanged : The reaction of the US dollar will depend upon whether the Fed is pausing after a prolonged tightening or easing cycle or has been pausing for some time. If it comes after a tightening cycle, it would be perceived as dollar bearish. If it is after an easing cycle, it would be perceived as dollar bullish. If they have been pausing for months already, the reaction would probably be more neutral.

A comprehensive measure of a New Zealand 's overall production and consumption of goods and services. GDP serves as one of the primary measures of overall economic well-being. Economic expansion, indicated by a growing GDP, raises concerns about inflationary pressure.

GDP calculates the total market value of goods and services produced in New Zealand within a given period after deducting the cost of goods and services used up in the process of production. Therefore, GDP excludes intermediate goods and services and considers final aggregates only. It is calculated as:

GDP = C + I + G + (EX - IM)

where

C = private consumption
I = private investment
G = government expenditure
EX = exports of goods and services
IM = imports of goods and services

The headline figures for GDP are the percentage growth rate from the previous quarter and the annualized percentage change in GDP. These are the preliminary figures, and are usually revised every following month.

A monthly guage of manufacturing activity and future outlook. The CIPS PMI is comparable to the US ISM survey, similarly based on the opinions of executives in manufacturing companies. Purchasing managers are tasked with gauging future demand, and adjusting orders for materials accordingly. The PMI summarizes the opinions of these executives to give a picture of the future of the manufacturing sector. A higher PMI indicates that materials purchases are increasing and that the economic outlook is positive. Alternately, a lower PMI means orders for materials are down and the future outlook is less favorable. By nature, the figure is very sensitive to the business cycle and tends to match growth or decline in the economy as a whole.

The PMI is presented as an index with a value between 1-100.

A monthly gauge of manufacturing activity and future outlook. The PMI is based on the opinions of executives in manufacturing companies. Purchasing managers are tasked with gauging future demand and adjusting orders for materials accordingly. The PMI summarizes the opinions of these executives to give a picture of the future of the manufacturing sector. A higher PMI indicates that materials purchases are increasing and that the economic outlook is positive. Alternately, a lower PMI means orders for materials are down and the future outlook is less favorable. By nature, the figure is very sensitive to the business cycle and tends to match growth or decline in the economy as a whole.

The PMI is presented as an index with a value between 1-100.

The target interest rate set by the Swiss National Bank (SNB). Adjusting the Three-Month Target Libor Rate is the primary monetary policy instrument of the Swiss National Bank.

The bank often raises rates to control inflation and reduces the rate to spur economic growth. Because rate changes affect the costs and returns for consumer loans, mortgages, bank yields and bond rates, the decision has huge influence on the economy and financial markets. The Financial sector is a relatively large part of the Swiss economy. Consequently Libor rate changes can affect the profitability of a significant part of Switzerland 's economy and affect the value of the Swiss Franc. Increasing Libor rates increases the demand for the Swiss Franc (an appreciating weight) where rate decreases lessen demand.

The Bank's current inflation target is 2 percent, and it increases and decreases rates accordingly in pursuit of that goal.

Gauge for goods sold at retail outlets in the past month. Retail Sales is a leading indicator for the economy. Rising consumer spending fuels economic growth, confirms signals from consumer confidence, and may spark inflationary pressures.

The headline figure is expressed as the percentage change from the same month last year.

Records sales of previously owned homes in the United States . This report provides a fairly accurate assessment of housing market conditions, and because of the sensitivity of the housing market to business cycle twists, it can be an important indicator of overall conditions at times when housing is particularly important to the economy.

While used home sales are not counted in GDP, they do affect the United States economy. Sellers of used homes often use capital gains from property sales on consumption that stimulate the economy. Higher levels of consumer spending may also increase inflationary pressures, even as they help grow the economy.

The existing home sales report is not as timely as other housing indicators like New Home Sales or Building Permits. By the time the Existing Home Sales are recorded, market conditions may have changed.

The headline is the total value of properties sold.

It is a survey conducted by the Philadelphia Fed questioning manufacturers in the Third Federal Reserve District on general business conditions. Conducted since 1968, the "Philly Fed" survey is an established report, valued for its timeliness, scope of coverage and tendency to forecast developments in the market moving ISM Manufacturing figure.

Higher Philadelphia Fed Survey figures indicate a positive outlook from manufacturers suggesting increased production. Higher production contributes to economic growth, which is generally bullish for the dollar.

Results are calculated as the difference between percentage of positive and negative scores; zero acts as the centerline point.

The amount of new debt held by the UK governments. In the long run, the public sector account must be in balance in order for the economy to be sustainable. If the UK spends more than what it earns, it must finance this budget deficit with an increase in Net Borrowing. Because budget deficits are generally unfavorable for the economy, growth in Net Borrowing is considered bearish for the Pound. Likewise, if Net Borrowing is negative, it means the UK is running a budget surplus and, rather than borrowing money, is a net lender. The headline number is the net borrowing for the previous month in billions of Pounds.

CPI Excluding Core Eight

The Consumer Price Index excluding eight items which the Bank of Canada has deemed to have the most volatility from month to month. The goods omitted tend to fluctuate idiosyncratically and may distort CPI data. The headline figure for CPI is the percentage change in the index on a month to month and year to year basis.

Note : These Eight items include: fruit, vegetables, gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas, mortgage interest, inter-city transportation and tobacco products. Changes in the CPI Excluding the Core 8 are recognized as a better indicator of inflation than the regular CPI. The headline figure is reported as a percent change on both the month to month and year to year basis.