Resources
Growth
GDP, PMIs, retail sales, confidence indicators and growth differentials.
All Growth Articles
ISM Manufacturing and Services for Forex Traders: How ISM Data Moves the US Dollar
A comprehensive guide to ISM Manufacturing and Services PMIs for forex traders — diffusion indices, the 50 threshold, sub-indices, the manufacturing vs services split, the prices-paid inflation signal, and the USD reaction framework.
Retail Sales and Forex: How Consumer Spending Data Moves Currencies
A comprehensive guide to retail sales for forex traders — headline vs core, nominal vs real, fuel and auto distortions, the link to GDP, and why strong retail sales do not always strengthen a currency.
Economic Surprise Indices: How Data Beats and Misses Move Currencies
Economic surprise indices aggregate data beats and misses against forecasts. This guide explains how surprise indices work, why they matter for currencies, and how to use them as an FX tool.
Economic Growth Differentials and Currencies: Why Relative Growth Drives FX
Economic growth differentials measure the gap in growth rates between countries. This guide explains why relative growth drives currencies, how growth affects capital flows, and how to track growth differentials for FX trading.
GDP Explained for Forex Traders
GDP is the most comprehensive measure of economic growth. This guide explains what GDP is, real vs nominal GDP, quarterly vs annual rates, GDP nowcasts and how GDP data affects currencies.
PMI Explained for Forex Traders
PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) is a leading indicator of economic activity. This guide explains what PMI is, manufacturing vs services vs composite PMI, how to interpret the 50 threshold and how PMI data affects currencies.
Recession Indicators for Traders: How to Spot Economic Downturns Before They Hit
Recession indicators are economic signals that warn of an approaching downturn. This guide covers the yield curve inversion, the Sahm rule, jobless claims, PMIs, and other key indicators that help FX traders anticipate recessions and their currency impact.