Selected Report Activity
Cause And Effect

Reports that affect the stock indexes: Any report that comes out at 7:30 AM CT has little if any effect on the stock indexes. Virtually all of any of wild reaction takes place at 7:30 AM CT and can be seen in the early morning trading. However, it is possible that a bad economic report could set the trend for the rest of the day in the stock indexes. By shortly after 8:30 CT the trend should be apparent, and you can use it using TTEs.

Any report that comes out between 8:45-10:00 AM CT can affect the stock indexes. Don’t trade 15-20 minutes before or after those reports.

Reports that affect the bonds and notes are those that come out at 7:30 AM CT. But in addition to those reports, any report that comes out between 8:45-10:00 AM CT can affect the bonds and notes. Don’t trade 15-20 minutes before or after those reports.

How do you know which reports are the most important? You don’t. When the economy is rolling along, and everything is “coming up roses” there are a number of minor reports that will have little if any effect on any market. However, when times are bad, when the economy is very sensitive, when the stock market is jumpy and unsure, any report can send any financial or stock index market into a trading frenzy. To be safe, don’t trade 15-20 minutes after any report.

Reports that affect the commodities: Crop Production, Crop Progress, WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates), Hogs and Pigs, Cattle on Feed, Cold Storage, NOPA Soybean Crush, Petroleum Institute (API), etc., reports—all can have a profound effect on their respective markets depending on the condition of the market.

Any report that is out of line with expectations will have an effect on the markets, in proportion to how much it differed from what was expected.

You can find out what is expected in the area of financial reports by clicking on the following link: http://biz.yahoo.com/c/e.html

Any time the Federal Reserve Chairman or head of any Central Bank speaks, it can have a profound effect on the financial and stock index futures. Keep in mind that financial futures includes the currencies.

Below is a table showing Selected Report Activity—Cause and Effect. Keep in mind that from time to time the reports change in content and name.

The prices of interest rate futures, like those for other futures contracts, react to fundamental factors of supply and demand. In this instance, price levels of interest rate futures are affected by the supply of, as well as the demand for, credit. Credit, in turn, is affected by economic forces in several areas, among them: Federal Reserve Board monetary policy, legislative and executive fiscal policies, business activity, and inflationary expectations. Generally, interest rate futures will rise in price amid signs of a slowing economy since a sluggish economy reduces credit demand. Conversely, a strong economy generally lowers futures prices since increased credit demand tends to force interest rates higher. Numerous economic indicators are closely watched by users of the financial futures markets. Outlined on this chart are several of the more closely watched indicators, as well as what generally happens once they are announced.
   
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD POLICY
   
ACTIVITY
REASON
   
Fed Raises Discount Rate An increase in the borrowing rate for banks from the Fed usually results in increased rates for a bank's customers. This action is used to slow credit expansion. Financial futures down.
Money Supply Increases Excess money supply growth potentially can cause inflation and generate fears the Fed may tighten money growth by allowing the Fed funds rate to rise. Financial futures down.
Fed Does Repurchase Agreement Fed puts money into banking system by purchasing collateral and agreeing to re-sell later. This helps to bring interest rates down. Financial futures up.
Fed Buys T-Bills Fed permanently adds to banking system reserves which may cause interest rates to drop. Financial futures up
Fed Does Reverses or Matched Sales Fed takes money from the system by selling collateral and agreeing to repurchase same at later date. This decrease in money supply generally raises interest rates. Financial futures down.
MARKET PRICE UP
MARKET PRICE DOWN
   
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
   
Cattle on Feed Increases Cattle futures tend to fall.
Hogs and Pigs Show Decreasing Numbers Lean Hogs and Pork Bellies tend to rise.
Livestock Slaughter numbers rise Meat futures tend to fall.
Milk Production Increases Dairy products prices tend to fall.
Agricultural Prices Rise Agricultural futures tend to rise.
World Agricultural Supply/Demand Estimate Down (WASDE) Agricultural futures tend to fall.
Cold Storage Inventories Fall Meat prices tend to rise.
MARKET PRICE UP
MARKET PRICE DOWN
 
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
 
ACTIVITY
REASON
Consumer Price Index and Real Earnings Rise (CPI Report)
 Indicates rising inflation. Financials down.
Durable Goods Orders Rise
 Pickup in business activity usually leads to increased credit demand. Financial futures down. 
Gross Domestic Product Falls
 Reflects a slowing economy. Fed may loosen money supply prompting a decline in interest rates. Financial futures up.
Housing Starts Rise
 Shows growth in economy and increased credit demand. Fed less accommodating in allowing interest rates to rise. Financial futures down.
Construction Put Into Place Rises
 Shows growth in economy and increased credit demand. Fed less accommodating in allowing interest rates to rise. Financial futures down.
Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization Falls
 Indicates slowing economic growth. Fed may be more accommodating in allowing interest rates to fall. Financial futures up.
Business Inventories Up
 Indicates a slowing economy since sales not keeping up with production. Financial futures up.
Leading Indicators up
 Signals strength in the economy leading to greater credit demand. Financial futures down.
Natural Gas Prices Fall (AGA Report)
 Reduces upward pressure on interest rates, thereby enhancing prices of debt. Financial futures up, Natural Gas future down.
Oil Prices Fall (API Report)
 Reduces upward pressure on interest rates, thereby enhancing prices of debt. Financial futures up, Crude Oil Complex futures down.
Personal Income Rises
 The higher one's income, the more is consumed prompting increased demand and higher prices for consumer goods. Financial futures down.
Precious Metals Prices Fall
 Reflects decreased inflation. Demand for inflation hedges eases up. Financial futures up. Gold, Silver down.
Producer Price Index Rises (PPI Report)
 Indicates rising inflation. Demand for goods rises as well as prices. Investors require higher rates of return, pushing rates up. Financial futures down.
Retail Sales Rise
 Indicates stronger economic growth. Fed may have to tighten. Financial futures down.
Unemployment Rises
 Indicates slow economic growth. Fed may ease credit, causing rates to drop. Financial futures up.
Selected Interest Rates Rise
 Financial Futures down.
Corporate Profits Fall
 Stock Index futures down.
U.S. International Trade Rises
 Foreign Currency futures down.
Import/Export Prices Fall
 Dollar Index tends to rise.
WARNING: The material outlined here is intended for the purposes of education and information only. The generalizations cited do not take into account market expectations, which can also affect futures prices. Consequently, if expectations and reality do not match, the end result may not always be as illustrated. In all cases, the opposite outcome of a report will result in an opposite effect in the market. PLEASE NOTE: There are a number of reports that are issued by the U.S. Government and other sources that are not listed here. Some resulting activity exists only as tendencies. The basis for, and the names of reports as well as the times issued, and dates issued change periodically. Wherever possible we have given you the name of the report as we know it. Everything in this table is subject to change without prior notice.

TE Italy