Why do release dates matter?
Stock, bond, and currency markets often move sharply the moment a major economic indicator is released. Markets are especially sensitive to "how different it is from expectations," not just the actual figure. If inflation comes in higher than expected or jobs disappoint, that alone can spark large volatility.
The most closely watched events
The biggest impact comes from monetary-policy meetings. Prime examples are the FOMC, which decides US interest rates, the Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Board, and the European Central Bank (ECB). Next, the price index (CPI) and the jobs report draw market attention, because they offer clues to the future direction of rates.
How to use the schedule
Markets tend to grow more volatile ahead of important releases. Watching how markets react before and after a release is a great way to learn directly what impact each indicator actually has. Getting familiar with what each indicator means at the indicators page first will help you interpret the results.