Markets do not move randomly. A handful of scheduled releases cause most of the big swings in currencies, bond yields and stock indices. Knowing the dates helps you avoid bad timing on transfers, understand headlines, and know when volatility is likely.
The Dates That Matter
| Date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 27–28 Oct | US Federal Reserve meeting | Decision on 28 Oct. Policy rate currently 3.75–4.00%. Moves the dollar, yields and loan rates. |
| 29 Oct | ECB decision, US PCE inflation, US GDP | Three major releases in one day. The ECB hiked to 2.50% in September. PCE is the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. |
| 6 Nov | US jobs report (October) | Strong jobs support more hikes; weak jobs can pull expectations back. |
| 10 Nov | US CPI (October) | The headline inflation number. A surprise either way can move the dollar quickly. |
| 25 Nov | US PCE inflation | The Fed’s favoured measure, watched ahead of the December meeting. |
| 8–9 Dec | US Federal Reserve meeting | Final meeting of the year, with updated projections. Markets already price a meaningful chance of another hike. |
Release dates occasionally shift, and some events, such as US government data publication, can be delayed. Treat this table as a guide and confirm exact dates on the official sites.
How to Use the Calendar
- Sending money abroad? Avoid transferring large amounts in the hour around these releases if timing is flexible. Compare the true cost with our transfer cost comparison.
- Saving or borrowing? A Fed decision is the moment to review rates. See the October meeting preview.
- Trading? Expect wider spreads and sharp moves around releases. Many traders reduce size or stand aside until the dust settles.
- Long-term investing? Individual releases rarely change a 20-year plan. Do not let a single data point drive a major decision.
What to Watch For
Three questions run through almost every date on the list. Is inflation falling back toward target, or staying above 3%? Is the labour market cooling enough to let the Fed pause? And how is the dollar reacting? See our inflation analysis for the first question.
Six dates explain most of the volatility between now and New Year. Put them in your calendar, avoid unforced timing errors with transfers and trades, and keep your long-term plan separate from the daily noise.
