The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes are a detailed record of the committee's interest rate meeting held about two weeks earlier. The minutes expose the votes cast at the meeting and can give traders further insight into the central bank's stance on monetary policy. Traders carefully comb the minutes for clues regarding future interest rate shifts.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. To produce the index, purchasing managers are surveyed on a number of subjects including employment, production, new orders, supplier deliveries, and inventories. Traders watch these surveys closely because purchasing managers, by virtue of their jobs, have early access to data about their companyӳ performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

Measures the number of home loans issued during the previous month. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because large purchases tend to be made by consumers that are optimistic and confident in their financial position. Additionally, consumer borrowing has a high degree of historical correlation with consumer spending, which is a major driver of the overall economy.

Measures the total value of outstanding home loans and consumer installment debt, such as credit cards and auto loans

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. To produce the index, purchasing managers are surveyed on a number of subjects including employment, production, new orders, supplier deliveries, and inventories. Traders watch these surveys closely because purchasing managers, by virtue of their jobs, have early access to data about their companyӳ performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

The Schweizerischer Verband für Materialwirtschaft und Einkauf (SVME) Purchasing Manager\'s Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation\'s currency. To produce the index, purchasing managers are surveyed on a number of subjects including employment, production, new orders, supplier deliveries, and inventories. Traders watch these surveys closely because purchasing managers, by virtue of their jobs, have early access to data about their company’s performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the total value of all goods and services produced by the economy.

Measures the quarterly difference in value between imported and exported goods, services, income flows, and unilateral transfers. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. The Current Account is a comprehensive accounting of the nation's trade with other countries. It includes the previously reported Trade Balance (which covers trade of goods and services), so traders focus on the income flows and unilateral transfer portions of the report.

Measures the total amount of new capital expenditures by private businesses.

The Average Earnings Index (AEI) measures the average wage, including bonuses, paid to employees.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) measures the activity level of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. To produce the index, purchasing managers are surveyed on a number of subjects including employment, production, new orders, supplier deliveries, and inventories. Traders watch these surveys closely because purchasing managers, by virtue of their jobs, have early access to data about their companyӳ performance, which can be a leading indicator of overall economic performance.

Measures the value of all currency and liquid cash assets held by the public.