Economic Indicators
Understand What Drives Markets
Economic data releases are the heartbeat of financial markets. MeyerTrust tracks every major indicator — employment, inflation, GDP, housing, and more — and explains what each means for your portfolio in plain language.
Access Economic DataKey Economic Releases to Watch
| Indicator | Frequency | Importance | Market Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Farm Payrolls | Monthly (1st Friday) | Very High | Equities, Bonds, USD |
| CPI (Inflation) | Monthly (mid-month) | Very High | All markets |
| FOMC Meeting | 8x per year | Extreme | All markets |
| GDP (Advance) | Quarterly | High | Equities, USD |
| ISM Manufacturing | Monthly (1st business day) | High | Equities, Commodities |
The indicators that matter most
Understanding these six categories gives you a complete picture of the economic landscape.
Employment Data
Non-farm payrolls, unemployment rate, jobless claims, and JOLTS job openings. Employment is the Fed's primary mandate — these numbers move markets.
Inflation Metrics
CPI, PPI, PCE deflator, and breakeven inflation rates. Inflation data directly drives Federal Reserve policy and interest rate expectations.
Manufacturing & Services
ISM Manufacturing and Services PMI, industrial production, capacity utilization. Leading indicators of economic expansion or contraction.
Housing Market
Housing starts, building permits, existing home sales, and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Housing is a key driver of consumer wealth and spending.
Consumer Data
Retail sales, consumer confidence (Conference Board & University of Michigan), and personal income and spending data.
Global Indicators
GDP growth rates, trade balances, and PMI data from major economies including the EU, China, Japan, and the UK.
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