Reading | -701.5bln; 366.5bln |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: -566.2bln; -377.8bln
Forecast: -280.0bln; 345.5bln
Actual Reading: -701.5bln; 366.5bln
The difference between the total value of exports and the total value of imports. A positive figure indicates a trade surplus while a negative value represents a trade deficit. Because Japan 's economy is highly export-led, trade data can give critical insight into developments in Japan 's economy and changes into foreign exchange rates.
A surplus reflects capital flowing into Japan in exchange for Japanese exports, and a deficit means that capital is flowing out of Japan as imports are purchased in larger volumes by Japanese consumers. A trade surplus will act as an appreciating weight on the Yen, whereas a trade deficit will place downward pressure on the Yen's value.
Details in the Trade Balance report itself give useful insight into changing trends regarding Japanese trade. Such developments are especially important for the country, which is an export-oriented economy that has historically experienced large trade surpluses. Any affect on this could have dramatic affect on the domestic economy.
The headline figure for trade balance is expressed in millions of Yen and usually accompanied by a year-on-year percentage change figure.
hideReading | -0.1% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 0.1%
Forecast:
Actual Reading: -0.1%
A leading indicator for Australian economic activity calculated by Melbourne Institute.
hideReading | 0.6%; 3.2% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 0.6%; 3.4%
Forecast: ; 3.1%
Actual Reading: 0.6%; 3.2%
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in the price of goods and services from the perspective of the consumer. It is a key way to measure changes in purchasing trends and inflation.
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the GBP, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the GBP.
hideReading | 4.2% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 4.5%
Forecast: 4.1%
Actual Reading: 4.2%
CPI assesses changes in the cost of living by measuring changes consumer pay for a set of items. CPI serves as the headline figure for inflation. Simply put, inflation reflects a decline in the purchasing power of the dollar, where each dollar buys fewer goods and services. In terms of measuring inflation, CPI is the most obvious way to quantify changes in purchasing power. The report tracks changes in the price of a basket of goods and services that a typical American household might purchase. An increase in the Consumer Price Index indicates that it takes more dollars to purchase the same set basket of basic consumer items.
Inflation is generally bad news for the economy, causing instability, uncertainty and hardship. To address inflation, the Fed may raise interest rates. However, the Fed relies on the PCE Deflator as its primary gauge of inflation because the CPI does not account for the ability of consumer to substitute out of CPI's set. Price changes tend to cause consumers to switch from buying one good to a less expensive-other, a tendency that the fixed-basket CPI figure does not yet account for. Given that the PCE Deflator is a more comprehensive calculation, based on changes in consumption; it is the figure the Fed prefers.
The figure is released monthly, as either a month over month annualized percentage change, or percentage change for the full year. The figure is seasonally adjusted to account seasonal consumption patterns.Inflation is generally bad news for the economy, causing instability, uncertainty and hardship. To address inflation, the Fed may raise interest rates. However, the Fed relies on the PCE Deflator as its primary gauge of inflation because the CPI does not account for the ability of consumer to substitute out of CPI's set. Price changes tend to cause consumers to switch from buying one good to a less expensive-other, a tendency that the fixed-basket CPI figure does not yet account for. Given that the PCE Deflator is a more comprehensive calculation, based on changes in consumption; it is the figure the Fed prefers.
The figure is released monthly, as either a month over month annualized percentage change, or percentage change for the full year. The figure is seasonally adjusted to account seasonal consumption patterns.
hideReading | 0.5%; 4.3% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 0.8%; 4.5%
Forecast: ; 4.2%
Actual Reading: 0.5%; 4.3%
In the United Kingdom, the Retail Prices Index or Retail Price Index (RPI) is a measure of inflation published monthly by the Office for National Statistics.
hideReading | -0.1%; -2.5% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 0.3%; -2.2%
Forecast: 0.0%
Actual Reading: -0.1%; -2.5%
A monthly survey that measures change in input prices as incurred by UK manufacturers. Input prices include the cost of materials used plus operation costs of running the business. The index can be used as a measure of inflation, given that higher input costs will likely be passed on from producers to consumers in the form of higher retail prices.
The headline is the percentage change in the Producer Price Index (Input) from the previous quarter and previous year.
hideReading | 0.2%; 0.6% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 0.3%; 0.4%
Forecast: 0.2%
Actual Reading: 0.2%; 0.6%
A monthly survey that measures the price changes of goods produced by UK manufacturers. The figure is also known as "Factory Gate Price" because it usually matches the price of goods when they first leave the factory. Increased prices in manufacturing typically lead to higher retail prices for consumers. However, it is also likely that higher output prices are caused by manufacturers charging a higher premium due to higher demand for their goods. Consequently, market trends in consumption should be considered with Output PPI to avoid data misinterpretation.
hideReading | -0.2% |
Period: Feb
Previous Reading: -1.3%
Forecast: 0.2%
Actual Reading: -0.2%
A broad measure of the movement of single-family house prices. Apart from serving as an indicator of house price trends, the House Price Index (HPI) provides an analytical tool for estimating changes in the rates of mortgage defaults, prepayments and housing affordability. It is a weighted, repeat-sales index, which means that it measures average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same properties.
hideReading | 2.4% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 2.4%
Forecast: 2.4%
Actual Reading: 2.4%
CPI is the key gauge for inflation in the Eurozone. Inflation, simply put, is a decline in the purchasing power of the Euro, where each Euro buys fewer goods and services due to higher consumer prices. The index tracks changes in the price of a basket of goods and services that a typical household might purchase. When the CPI is high, it indicates that significant inflationary pressures exist in Eurozone economies. This puts pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates. When CPI comes out lower than expected, the ECB is expected to lower interest rates, or keep them lower, to encourage economic growth. As a rule, the Bank adjusts rates in order to keep Europe consumer price inflation in the 0 to 2 percent range.
hideReading | 2.9% |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 2.9%
Forecast: 2.9%
Actual Reading: 2.9%
CPI is the key gauge for inflation in the Eurozone. Inflation, simply put, is a decline in the purchasing power of the Euro, where each Euro buys fewer goods and services due to higher consumer prices. The index tracks changes in the price of a basket of goods and services that a typical household might purchase. When the CPI is high, it indicates that significant inflationary pressures exist in Eurozone economies. This puts pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates. When CPI comes out lower than expected, the ECB is expected to lower interest rates, or keep them lower, to encourage economic growth. As a rule, the Bank adjusts rates in order to keep Europe consumer price inflation in the 0 to 2 percent range.
hideReading | 2.58%; 2.46 |
Period: Apr
Previous Reading: 2.52%; 3.4
Forecast:
Actual Reading: 2.58%; 2.46
Yields are set by bond market investors, and therefore they can be used to decipher investors' outlook on future interest rates. The bid-to-cover ratio represents bond market liquidity and demand, which can be used to gauge investor confidence. hide
Reading | -8.78bln |
Period: Feb
Previous Reading: 8.88
Forecast: 10.10
Actual Reading: -8.78bln
Summarizes the flow of stocks, bonds, and money market funds to and from Canada.
hideReading | 2735K |
Period: Apr
Previous Reading: 5841K
Forecast: 1600K
Actual Reading: 2735K
The actual inventories of crude oil, gasoline, and distillate, such as jet fuel, as reported on a weekly basis. The numbers are watched closely by the energy markets, and if the results differ greatly from the expected inventory levels, the market can react strongly. The inventory data can be skewed by holidays and seasonal factors. Weekly data can be unreliable and should be viewed as a part of longer-term trends, so a four-week moving average may be more useful.
hideReading |
Period:
Previous Reading:
Forecast:
Actual Reading:
Report on current economic conditions in each of the 12 Federal Reserve districts covering the entire US. Regional Banks in the Federal Reserve System gather anecdotal information based on surveys of executives, economist and market participants. The Beige Book summarizes this data into a relatively short document, giving a picture of economic trends and challenges faced by different parts of the nation.
In addition to providing useful information on the economy, the report is also a window into how FOMC members may vote at the next interest rate policy meeting. Because each report is based on anecdotal information as much as statistics, it is subjective and may reflect opinions of district governors. As the only comprehensive report made available to the public, the Beige Book provides a rare opportunity for markets to better understand the Federal Reserve and its views on the economy.
hideReading | 71.5bln |
Period: Feb
Previous Reading: 14.0
Forecast: 40.2
Actual Reading: 71.5bln
Measures Capital Flow into U.S. Denominated Assets. Summarizes the flow of stocks, bonds and money market funds to and from the United States. The headline figure is the difference in value between American purchases of foreign securities and foreign purchases of American securities, expressed in millions of dollars. The Treasury International Capital or TIC statement is a major component of the American capital account and gives valuable insight into foreign demand for American investments and dollar.
A positive figure indicates that more capital is entering the US than leaving as sales of American securities to foreigners exceed American purchases of foreign securities. Such positive figures suggest that American security markets are competitive with those of other countries. Foreign security purchases are especially important in the case of a trade deficit, as a positive figure can offset the depreciating effect of a trade shortfall. On the contrary, a negative or declining TICS figure reflects a declining capital flow picture. Outflows are indicative of weaker demand for US assets which puts downward pressure on the value of the dollar.
A key feature of the TIC data is its measurement of the types of investors the dollar has; governments and private investors. Usually, a strong government holding of dollar denominated assets signals growing dollar optimism as it shows that governments are confident in the stability of the US dollar. Most importantly seems to be the purchases of Asian central banks such as that of Japan and China. Waning demand by these two behemoth US Treasury holders could be bearish for the US dollar. As for absolute amount of foreign purchases, the market generally likes to see purchases be much stronger than the funding needs of that same month's trade deficit. If it is not, it signals that there is not enough dollars coming in to match dollar going out of the country.
hideReading |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 3.7%
Forecast: 3.9%
Actual Reading:
The percentage of individuals in the labor force who are without a job but actively seeking one. A higher Unemployment Rate is generally a drain on the economy. Not only does it mean that resources are not being fully utilized, but it also results in lower consumer spending as there are fewer workers receiving paychecks.
Note: The unemployment rate generally moves slowly, so changes of only a few tenths of a percent are still considered significant. Also note that the unemployment rate does not account for discouraged workers. Therefore, in an economically depressed environment, such as that which occurred in Cold War era East Germany, the Unemployment Rate may not accurately reflect the extent of problems.
hideReading |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 116.5K
Forecast: 7.2K
Actual Reading:
Tracks the number of the employed in Australia . The figure appears in the monthly Labour Force Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A surge in new employment suggests higher spending potential and budding inflation pressures, which the RBA often counters with rate increases.
The headline figure is the annualized percentage change in employed workers.
hideReading |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 78.2K; 38.3K
Forecast:
Actual Reading:
Modern award usually defines a part-time employee as an employee who is engaged to work less than an average of 38 ordinary hours per week and whose hours of work are reasonably predictable, with a guaranteed minimum number of hours of work. Work is usually performed on regular days of the week. A part-time employee will usually be entitled to the same employment conditions as a full-time employee, but on a pro rata basis compared to the full-time hours (usually 38 per week) prescribed under the applicable industrial instrument.
hideReading |
Period: Mar
Previous Reading: 66.7%
Forecast:
Actual Reading:
A measure of the active portion of an economy's labor force. The participation rate refers to the number of people who are either employed or are actively looking for work. The number of people who are no longer actively searching for work would not be included in the participation rate. During an economic recession, many workers often get discouraged and stop looking for employment, as a result, the participation rate decreases.
hideReading |
Period: 1 quarter
Previous Reading: -6
Forecast:
Actual Reading:
A survey of the current state of the business sector in Australia . Based on a survey of hundreds of small and large sized companies, the National Australia Bank delivers monthly comprehensive quarterly reports.
This comprehensive survey primarily provides insight into the state of the Australian economy and puts forth leading indicators that signal its future direction. Thus the survey's findings, if unexpected, have the power to move markets directly.
The National Australia Bank releases both a monthly and quarterly report. The quarterly report is more comprehensive, surveying around 1000 small to large non-farm firms. The quarterly report provides greater detail on the data as well as a short to mid-term outlook of Australia . Because of seasonal volatility and government protections the survey only excludes the farm sector.
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Country of origin: Belize
Regulation: Financial Services Commission (IFSC) under license number IFSC/60/366/TS/15
Payment options: RBKMoney, Qiwi, MoneyBookers/Skrill, Payza, EuroGoldCash (USD), Visa, MasterCard, bank transfers, cash (InstaForex dealer)
Minimum account size: -
Minimum lot size: 0.01 lot
Leverage: 1:25, 1:50
Spreads: -
FXArena is a brokerage firm that has operated in the forex market since 2012. The broker is owned and operated by Genius Trading, a company registered in the Lesser Antilles islands (Anguilla).
What differs FXArena from its competitors is an entirely new approach to financial trading based on contests. By taking part in these, traders get an opportunity to sharpen their professional skills and learn how to succeed in the currency market. Those who have opened an account with this broker, immediately get access to an enormous number of competitions. They can also participate in several tournaments at the same time.
There are over 100 available contests to choose from. The prize pool of some competitions, such as the monthly Big Big event, comes up to $50,000. Another interesting contest is Big Free where traders can win up to 2 thousand dollars.
There are both free and fee-based contests on FXArena. If a trader decides to take part in a competition that requires an entrance fee, then this sum is automatically subtracted from their account.
The whole trading process is carried out through the MT4 trading platform. You can pick one of its five versions: for Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android. After you install the platform, you can choose whatever trading instruments you are interested in and download various expert advisors.
It is worth noting, however, that there are no educational and analytical sections on the broker’s official website which is a major disadvantage for forex beginners who start out on their trading career with only a vague idea of the currency market’s fundamental concepts.
Please feel free to rate the broker’s performance and leave your own FXArena reviews about the company.