Trade the News Action Calendar

1. Thursday, March 6: The Bank of England and European Central Bank announce interest rates, starting at 7 AM (EST). The BoE has surprised the markets before, and you can often watch the markets move with ECB President Trichet’s words as he speaks to reporters.
2. Friday, March 7: Non-Farm Payrolls, a.k.a. “NFP.” The currency markets’ most-watched indicator of US economic health is released at 8:30 (EST).
3. Thursday, March 13: US Retail Sales. After years of non-stop borrowing and spending, many analysts worry that the US consumer is finally tapped out. Find out at 8:30 AM (EST).
4. Friday, March 14: CPI. With oil now well clear of $100 per barrel, and sky-high food and gold prices, inflation is a big concern. Find out the rate in the euro zone at 6 AM (EST) and the U.S. at 8:30 AM (EST).
5. Tuesday, March 18: The Federal Reserve sets rates. The biggest question of them all is What will Bernanke and the FOMC do this time? Rates are announced at 2:15 PM (EST).