Date
GMT+00:00
Event Previous Forecast Actual
Feb, 19 13:30
Wholesale Inventories
Wholesale Inventories
Country:
Date: Feb, 19 13:30
Importance: Low
Previous: 0.2%
Forecast: 0.1%
Actual: -
Period: Dec

The stock of unsold goods held by wholesalers. Wholesalers act as intermediaries between manufacturers or importers, and retailers. Wholesalers sell directly to retailers, who strive to act in accordance (ideally) with consumer demand. Consequently, high Wholesale Inventories indicate that unsold goods are piling up, suggesting that retailers are facing lagging consumer demand and unwilling to purchase goods. Conversely, declining Wholesale Inventories suggest retailers are buying more goods to meet strong or rising demand. Because Wholesale Inventories reflect the demand retailers have for their manufacturers' wares, the report offers an early indication of the potential strength of consumer spending.

Wholesale Inventories are reported in headlines as a percent change from the previous month.

0.2% 0.1% -
Feb, 19 13:30
★★
Goods Trade Balance
Goods Trade Balance
Country:
Date: Feb, 19 13:30
Importance: Medium
Previous: -86.9
Forecast: -85.7
Actual: -
Period: Dec
Since July 2015, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis has started publishing preliminary estimate of goods trade balance. This release will be 4-7 earlier than trade balance data. Growth in the reading favors the US dollar.
-86.9 -85.7 -
Feb, 19 13:30
★★
Trade Balance
Trade Balance
Country:
Date: Feb, 19 13:30
Importance: Medium
Previous: -2.2
Forecast: -2.0
Actual: -
Period: Dec

A country's trade balance reflects the difference between exports and imports of goods and services. The trade balance is one of the biggest components of the Balance of Payment, giving valuable insight into pressures on country's currency.

Surpluses and Deficits
A positive Trade Balance (surplus) indicates that exports are greater than imports. When imports exceed exports, the country experiences a trade deficit. Because foreign goods are usually purchased using foreign currency, trade deficits usually reflect currency leaking out of the country. Such currency outflows may lead to a natural depreciation unless countered by comparable capital inflows (inflows in the form of investments, FDI - where foreigners investing in local equity, bond or real estates markets). At a bare minimum, deficits fundamentally weigh down the value of the currency.

Ramifications of Trade Balance on Markets
There are a number of factors that work to diminish the market impact of Trade Balance upon immediate release. The report is not very timely, coming some time after the reporting period. Developments in many of the figure's components are also typically anticipated well beforehand. Lastly, since the report reflects data for a specific reporting month or quarter, any significant changes in the Trade Balance should plausibly have already been felt during that period - and not during the release of data.

However, because of the overall significance of Trade Balance data in forecasting trends in the Forex Market, the release has historically been one of the most important reports out of the any country.

-2.2 -2.0 -
Feb, 19 13:30
New Housing Price Index
New Housing Price Index
Country:
Date: Feb, 19 13:30
Importance: Low
Previous: -0.2%
Forecast: 0.1%
Actual: -
Period: Jan

A component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) that measures changes in prices for new homes. Higher housing prices suggest stronger consumer demand and growth in the housing market. At the same time, higher housing prices that accompany economic expansion often lead to inflationary pressures. The headline number is the percentage change in the index.

Note: The New Housing Price Index takes into account the quality and features of the new homes sold. For example, if selling prices for new homes are unchanged, but the features and quality of housing have increased (e.g. added swimming pool and better construction materials), then the price for new homes is considered to have fallen.

-0.2% 0.1% -
Feb, 19 14:00
FOMC Member Neel Kashkari Speaks
FOMC Member Neel Kashkari Speaks
Country:
Date: Feb, 19 14:00
Importance: Low
Previous: -
Forecast: -
Actual: -
Period: -
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari. Federal Reserve FOMC members vote on where to set the nation's key interest rates and their public engagements are often used to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy.
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