What are News Events?
News Events are scheduled reports or announcements that provide critical updates on the economy and financial markets. These include releases such as unemployment numbers, FOMC statements, and PMI updates. Such events often create sudden volatility and significant price swings in the futures markets.
While traders are no longer required to flatten positions during News Events (in either Evaluation or Funded Accounts), we strongly advise using caution—or avoiding trading altogether—when an upcoming event may impact the product(s) you are trading.
Why are News Events important?
They allow the market to digest fresh information, which can lead to sharp, unpredictable moves.
Understanding which events affect your product(s) is key to responsible risk management.
Common High-Impact News Events
News Event | Time (CT) | Products Impacted |
Unemployment Rate | 7:30 AM | ES, NKD, NQ, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, E7, GE, YM, UB, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, GC, RTY, SI, HG, TN, 6M, M6A, M6E, 6N, MBT, MET |
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | ALL PRODUCTS |
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM * | CL, QM, MCL, RB |
Natural Gas Inventories | 9:30 AM | NG, QG |
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL |
Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change without notice—traders are responsible for being aware of when News Events occur.
Note: Micro contracts are also affected.