A trader’s guide to TradingView Economic Calendar

What is the TradingView Economic Calendar?

The TradingView Economic Calendar provides a schedule of upcoming and recently released economic data, central bank announcements and other events that can affect financial markets. Events are organised by date, time and country, making it easier to see what economic developments are coming up and when.

Traders can use the calendar to follow releases such as inflation, GDP, employment data, interest rate decisions, retail sales and trade balances. These events can influence expectations about economic growth, inflation and monetary policy, potentially affecting currencies, indices, commodities, bonds and other markets.

Economic vs corporate events

The Economic Calendar is one of several calendars available on TradingView. The platform also provides Earnings, Revenue, Dividend and initial public offering (IPO) calendars, allowing traders to follow both broader economic developments and company-specific events.

Economic events provide information about a country, region or economy. These include central bank interest rate decisions, consumer price index (CPI) data and employment reports. Because these releases can change expectations for inflation, economic growth or monetary policy, their effects may be seen across several financial markets.

Corporate events relate to individual companies. TradingView's Earnings and Revenue calendars track company reporting, while the Dividend Calendar covers dividend events and the IPO Calendar highlights upcoming public offerings. A significant company announcement may also affect its wider sector or an index in which the company has a large weighting.

Which events matter most depends on the market being analysed. For example, a trader following EUR/USD may focus on economic releases from the eurozone and US, while someone analysing an individual share may also want to monitor relevant earnings, revenue and dividend announcements.

Understanding event details, forecasts and previous results

Each event in the Economic Calendar includes information such as its scheduled time, country and importance level. For economic data releases, traders may also see three key figures:

• Actual: The figure reported when the data is released.
• Forecast: The figure expected before the release.
• Previous: The figure reported for the previous period.

Comparing the actual result with the forecast can help traders understand whether a release was broadly in line with expectations or came as a surprise. The previous figure provides additional context for how the data has changed over time.

Selecting an event can provide further information, such as a description of the indicator, historical data and charts showing previous results.

The importance level can help traders identify events that may be worth watching, but it does not indicate how much the market will move. A major release may have little impact if the result is close to expectations, while an unexpected result can sometimes lead to a stronger market reaction.

How to use the Economic Calendar

Traders can use the Economic Calendar to check upcoming events before analysing or trading a market. Start by reviewing the events scheduled for the day or week, then focus on the countries and economic releases most relevant to the markets you follow.

For example, traders following US markets may pay particular attention to Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, inflation data and employment reports, while forex traders may monitor economic releases from the countries linked to the currencies they trade.

Checking the calendar in advance can help traders understand when important economic information is due and prepare for periods when market volatility may increase. It can also provide useful context when analysing price movements before and after a release.

Navigating the calendar interface

To find the Economic Calendar on TradingView, go to Products, then select Economic Calendar under Calendars. You can also access the calendar from the right-hand toolbar in Supercharts.

Once the calendar is open, you can narrow down the events you want to follow:

1. Choose the period you want to examine, such as today, tomorrow, this week or upcoming events.
2. Check the time zone so event times match your location or preferred trading time.
3. Filter by country and category to focus on events relevant to the markets you follow.
4. Select High importance to view events that TradingView ranks as having greater potential significance.
5. Open an event to see additional information, which may include a description, historical data and an indicator chart.

When reviewing an event, consider both where it is taking place and which markets could be affected. For example, a US inflation release can influence expectations for interest rates and may affect the US dollar, Treasury yields, gold and US indices.

Interpreting actual, forecast and prior data

Economic releases are often assessed by comparing the actual result with the forecast and previous figure. The difference between the actual and forecast is sometimes referred to as an economic surprise. A larger difference can lead to a stronger market reaction, although the direction and size of that reaction can vary.

For example, suppose annual inflation is forecast at 2.7% but comes in at 3.0%. The higher-than-expected result could change expectations for inflation and future interest rate decisions, potentially affecting currencies, bonds, shares and other markets.

However, the headline figure is only part of the picture. Traders may also consider whether previous data has been revised, how the latest result compares with the longer-term trend and whether the outcome was already expected by the market.

When reviewing a release:

• Compare actual with forecast to see whether the result was above, below or in line with expectations.
• Compare actual with previous to see how the data has changed from the last reported period.
• Check whether the previous figure was revised, as this can provide additional context for the latest result.
• Check the units and reporting period to make sure you are comparing the figures correctly.

Economic data does not provide a standalone trading signal. Market reactions can depend on expectations, wider economic conditions and how the latest information affects the outlook for factors such as growth, inflation and interest rates.

Setting alerts and reminders for releases

TradingView allows users to add scheduled economic events to Google Calendar, making it easier to keep track of upcoming releases and set reminders in advance.

Traders can also use TradingView alerts to monitor price movements or technical levels around an economic event. For example, a price alert can notify you if a market reaches a particular level before or after a scheduled announcement.

Using reminders alongside market alerts can help traders keep track of when important economic data is due and monitor how relevant markets behave around the release.

Economic Calendar filters and customisation

A full economic calendar can include a large number of events from markets around the world. TradingView’s filters make it easier to narrow the calendar to the countries, event types and importance levels most relevant to the markets you follow.

Filtering by country, impact and category

• Countries: Select one or more countries, or choose Entire world to view events from all regions.
• High importance: Displays only the highest-importance events, helping you focus on key releases.
• Period options: View upcoming events, yesterday’s releases or announcements scheduled for today, tomorrow or this week.
• Categories menu: Filter announcements by topics such as interest rates, inflation or bonds, or select All categories to view everything.
• Time zone: Choose your preferred time zone to view events at the relevant local time.

If you are focused on monetary policy, for example, you may prioritise inflation, employment and central bank events rather than every release from the same country.

Choosing a time zone and date range

The Economic Calendar can be adjusted to your preferred time zone, helping you see when events are scheduled in your local time or another relevant market time zone. This can be particularly useful when following events across different regions or during daylight-saving time changes.

TradingView also provides date filters for past, current and upcoming events, including yesterday, today, tomorrow, this week and upcoming releases. A weekly view can provide an overview of the events ahead, while a daily view makes it easier to focus on individual releases and their scheduled times.

When comparing economic events with price movements on a TradingView chart, check that you understand the time zones being used. Supercharts can use a different time-zone setting from the Economic Calendar, which may affect how event times correspond with price data.

Using the Economic Calendar with watchlists

The Economic Calendar and watchlists provide different types of information. The calendar helps traders follow scheduled macroeconomic events, while a watchlist keeps selected markets and instruments in one place.

Using the two together can make it easier to focus on economic events that may be relevant to the markets you follow. For example, traders can:

• Create a watchlist of the instruments they want to monitor.
• Use country and event filters to narrow the Economic Calendar to relevant releases.
• View the calendar alongside a selected chart in Supercharts.
• Use News Flow to follow headlines related to instruments on a watchlist.

News Flow can provide additional context by showing relevant market headlines, while the Economic Calendar focuses on scheduled economic events. Together with watchlists and charts, these tools can provide a more organised view of upcoming events and related market developments.

Using the Economic Calendar when trading

The Economic Calendar can help traders understand when market-moving information is due and consider how upcoming events could affect the markets they follow. However, it cannot predict the outcome of an economic release or how prices will respond.

Economic events can also influence markets beyond those most directly connected to the release. For example, a Federal Reserve interest rate decision can affect expectations for US interest rates and the US dollar, with potential effects across currencies, bonds, shares, commodities and other markets.

Market reactions can vary depending on how the actual result compares with expectations, what was already reflected in prices and how the release changes the wider economic outlook. For this reason, the calendar is most useful as a source of context alongside other forms of market analysis rather than as a standalone trading signal.

Planning for different economic outcomes

Before an economic release, traders can review the forecast, previous result and markets that could be affected. Considering several possible outcomes in advance can make it easier to interpret the data when it is released.

• Stronger than forecast: A stronger result may change expectations for economic growth, inflation or monetary policy. The wider details of the release and revisions to previous data can provide additional context.
• In line with forecast: A result close to expectations may have a more limited impact, particularly if it was already reflected in market prices. Other details within the release may still influence the market response.
• Weaker than forecast: A weaker result may change the economic outlook, but it does not automatically mean that related markets will move in a particular direction.
• Mixed: Headline and underlying data can sometimes point in different directions, making the release more difficult to interpret and potentially contributing to more volatile price movements. 

Comparing the result with expectations is only one part of interpreting an economic release. Traders may also consider previous revisions, wider economic conditions and how different markets respond as new information is absorbed.

Volatility and liquidity considerations

Major economic announcements can lead to sharp price movements as market participants react to new information. Trading activity may also decrease before a significant release, which can make markets more sensitive when the data is announced.

Spreads can widen during periods of high volatility or lower liquidity, while prices may change between the time an order is placed and executed. Stop orders may also be filled at a different price from their trigger level. This difference is known as slippage.

These conditions can affect trading risk, making factors such as position size, overall market exposure and order types important considerations. A stop-loss can help limit potential losses, but it does not guarantee that an order will be executed at the specified price.

Traders take different approaches around major economic releases. Some avoid opening positions immediately before high-impact events, while others trade the volatility associated with them. Both approaches involve risk, and market reactions can remain unpredictable even when an event is widely anticipated.

Understanding market reactions after a release

The first price movement after an economic release does not always indicate how the market will respond over a longer period. Prices can move quickly as new information is released, then change direction as market participants consider the details, revisions or accompanying statements.

When interpreting the reaction, traders may look at several factors:

• The data: Whether the details and any revisions support the headline result.
• Price movements: Whether the initial move continues, reverses or returns to its previous range.
• Related markets: Whether other relevant markets, such as currencies, bond yields or stock indices, are responding in a similar way.

Market reactions can continue to develop as participants absorb new information. This can be particularly important following central bank decisions, where accompanying statements and subsequent commentary may provide additional context for the policy outlook.

Combining the calendar with news and market context

The TradingView Calendar and News Flow provide different types of market information. The calendar helps traders keep track of scheduled economic and corporate events, while News Flow provides ongoing reporting and updates from financial news sources. Using both can provide additional context around events and market movements.

Linking economic releases to related news

Economic data rarely exists in isolation. After a release, related news and commentary can provide more information about the result, including revisions, policy implications and other details that may not be immediately clear from the headline figure.

TradingView’s News Flow can be used alongside the Economic Calendar to follow reporting related to particular markets or instruments. The feed can be filtered by factors such as watchlist, instrument, market, sector, country and news source, making it easier to focus on relevant updates.

Where possible, traders can also refer to the original release from the relevant statistical agency, government body or central bank. Headline figures provide a quick overview, but the full release may contain additional information or revisions that provide important context.

Understanding conflicting releases and event clusters

Several market-moving events can happen at or around the same time. For example, a stronger employment figure might be accompanied by weaker wage growth, or a central bank interest rate decision may be followed by a policy statement and press conference. Unscheduled developments, including geopolitical events, can also affect the same markets.

When interpreting a market reaction, it can be useful to consider whether:

• Other economic data was released at the same time.
• Previous figures were revised.
• The headline and underlying data point in different directions.
• A central bank statement, speech or press conference is providing additional information.
• Prices were already moving before the scheduled announcement.

When several events occur close together, it may be difficult to attribute a price movement to a single cause. Looking at the wider economic and market context can provide a more complete picture of what may be influencing prices.

Using the Economic Calendar with Supercharts

TradingView’s Economic Calendar can be used alongside Supercharts to compare scheduled economic events with price movements and technical analysis. This can help traders see what was happening on a chart before, during and after an economic release.

The Calendar can be opened from the right-hand toolbar in Supercharts, allowing traders to view upcoming events without leaving the chart.

Displaying events on charts

Economic events can also be displayed directly on supported charts. Open the chart settings using the gear icon, select Events and choose the events you want to display.

Event markers appear along the chart’s time axis, making it easier to compare the timing of a release with the surrounding price action.

The events available depend on the instrument. Stock charts, for example, can display company events such as earnings, dividends and stock splits, while supported indices and futures can show relevant economic events.

Reviewing historical reactions to economic releases

Historical event markers can help traders examine how a market behaved around previous economic releases. This might include looking at price movements before and after an event, changes in volatility and whether the initial reaction continued or reversed.

TradingView’s Bar Replay can also be used to move through historical price data one bar at a time, making it possible to review how market conditions developed without seeing all subsequent price movements in advance.

For more systematic testing, TradingView’s Strategy Report can be used with Pine Script strategies to simulate trading rules using historical data. This differs from manually reviewing past events because it tests predefined rules across historical market conditions.

Historical results can provide useful information about previous market behaviour, but they do not indicate how prices will respond to future economic releases.

Building a repeatable economic news workflow

A consistent process can help traders organise the information available before, during and after an economic release:

1. Review the week ahead: Filter the calendar by the countries, categories and importance levels relevant to the markets you follow.
2. Check upcoming releases: Confirm the event time, time zone, forecast and whether other important events are scheduled around the same time.
3. Prepare the chart: Identify relevant price levels and display supported economic events on Supercharts.
4. Consider different outcomes: Think about how stronger, weaker, in-line or mixed results could change expectations for the market.
5. Consider the potential risks: Economic releases can increase volatility, widen spreads and contribute to slippage, making it important to understand the conditions around an event.
6. Assess the reaction: Compare the actual, forecast and previous figures, then look at how prices and related markets respond.
7. Review what happened: Look back at the release and subsequent price movements to understand how the market reacted and how this compares with previous events.

The TradingView Economic Calendar can be useful before, during and after an economic event. The calendar shows what is scheduled, Supercharts helps traders analyse the price response and News Flow can provide additional context. Together, these tools can support a more structured approach to following economic news, but they cannot predict market reactions or remove trading risk.