Economic Calendar
Indicators that move Gold. Upcoming macro events and the permanent economic data every XAU/USD trader should know.
Week of Sep 14 - 18, 2026
Macro events and expected impact on Gold
Gold Impact: Anticipates NFP (imprecise).
Gold Impact: Consumer spending.
Gold Impact: Consumer spending.
Gold Impact: Hawkish = Gold down. Dovish = Gold up.
Gold Impact: Rate hike = Gold down. Rate cut = Gold up.
Gold Impact: Rate hike = Gold down. Rate cut = Gold up.
Gold Impact: Rate hike = Gold down. Rate cut = Gold up.
Gold Impact: High = Gold up.
Gold Impact: Rate hike = Gold down. Rate cut = Gold up.
Gold Impact: Rate hike = Gold down. Rate cut = Gold up.
Disclaimer: Predictions and speculations are educational opinions based on technical and fundamental analysis. They do not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR).
Market Hours and Killzones
Trading sessions and operational windows for XAU/USD
| Session | UTC Time | Your local time | Type | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Session | 21:00 - 06:00 | Session | Forex market open. Low liquidity. Wide spreads on Gold. | |
| Tokyo Session | 00:00 - 09:00 | Session | Range and consolidation. Defines the Asian Range that London will sweep. | |
| Asian Killzone (ICT) | 00:00 - 04:00 | Killzone | ICT Asian range. Liquidity forms (equal H/L) that will be swept in London. | |
| London Session (LSE) | 08:00 - 16:30 | Session | Highest volume session. 35% of global forex volume. | |
| London Killzone (ICT) | 07:00 - 10:00 | Killzone | Main breakout of the day. Asian Range sweep. BEST WINDOW to trade. | |
| NY Session (NYSE) | 13:30 - 22:00 | Session | Second largest session. Overlap with London (13:30-16:30 UTC) = peak volatility. | |
| NY Killzone (ICT) | 12:00 - 15:00 | Killzone | Second impulse of the day. Macro data (NFP, CPI, PCE) releases at 12:30 UTC. | |
| London Close KZ (ICT) | 15:00 - 17:00 | Danger | Frequent manipulation and reversals. London institutional position closing. | |
| NY PM | 17:00 - 22:00 | Low activity | Decreasing volume. Only hold positions, do not open new ones. |
Recommendation: Trade exclusively during London Killzone and NY Killzone. 80% of significant Gold movements occur during these windows. Local times are calculated automatically based on your timezone.
Macro Indicators that Move Gold
These are the permanent economic data points every XAU/USD trader should have on their radar. Each one can generate 200+ pip movements in Gold.
NFP (Non-Farm Payrolls)
HighFirst Friday of each month. Measures U.S. job creation. One of the highest-impact data points for Gold and USD.
Frequency: MonthlyCPI (Consumer Price Index)
HighMeasures consumer inflation. A high CPI strengthens USD and pressures Gold lower (in theory). Key data for monetary policy.
Frequency: MonthlyFOMC (Federal Reserve)
HighFed interest rate decision and press conference. Generates the highest volatility of the month in Gold and forex.
Frequency: 8 times per yearPCE Core
HighThe Fed's favorite indicator for measuring inflation. Similar to CPI but with different methodology. Highly relevant for Gold.
Frequency: MonthlyGDP (Gross Domestic Product)
MediumMeasures economic growth. A strong GDP tends to strengthen USD. Published in 3 readings: advance, preliminary, final.
Frequency: QuarterlyJobless Claims
MediumWeekly unemployment claims. High-frequency data that measures labor market health in real time.
Frequency: WeeklyISM Manufacturing / Services
MediumEconomic activity indices for manufacturing and services. Above 50 indicates expansion, below indicates contraction.
Frequency: MonthlyConsumer Confidence
MediumMeasures consumer optimism about the economy. Can generate moderate movements in Gold and USD.
Frequency: Monthly