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U.S. government data releases hold significant sway over the global over-the-counter forex market, as the U.S. dollar accounts for nearly 88% of all international forex transactions. While most traders are aware of the importance of monetary policy on forex, beginners often miss out on other important data releases that reflect the strength of the economy.
Even though the forex market is open 24/7 on weekdays, it is most volatile when governments are scheduled to release economic data. Traders who routinely track scheduled dates for data releases and undertake event trading are likely to generate relatively higher returns.
Understanding the US Nonfarm Payroll Report (NFP) and its Significance in Event Trading
The U.S. nonfarm payroll report is one of the most important economic releases published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Typically released on the first Friday of every month, the NFP report reflects the total employment and unemployment levels in the country. The nonfarm payroll takes into account roughly 80% of all U.S. business sectors that directly contribute to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Apart from agriculture, certain government employees, members of the active military service, unincorporated businesses and nonprofit employees are excluded from the nonfarm payroll calculations.
The monthly U.S. nonfarm payroll report reflects the economy’s unemployment scenario and influences total government spending. It also forms a basis for monetary policy changes implemented by the Federal Reserve.
Impact of the NFP Report on Different Asset Classes
The nonfarm payroll report is a primary indicator of the health of the U.S. economy. It’s no surprise that the NFP report is widely followed across the domestic and international markets and is one of the biggest drivers of the stock market, commodities and forex as well as the alternative assets market.
A strong NFP report indicates strong employment numbers in the U.S., which usually results in the Fed implementing a hawkish monetary policy. As strong employment data corresponds with high inflation rates, the central bank often raises the benchmark federal funds rate to combat rising prices. Contractionary monetary policies lower the supply of the dollar, causing it to strengthen in value. The stock market also has a positive reaction to a strong NFP report.
Conversely, strong a nonfarm payroll report typically has a negative impact on alternative asset classes such as gold and cryptocurrencies. This is because investors generally rush toward such alternative assets during challenging economic conditions.
Key Indicators to Watch for in the NFP Report
The most important data published in the NFP report is the total nonfarm payroll employment number, followed by the unemployment rate. If the total number of jobs added exceeds 100,000, it generally triggers a positive reaction in the forex and stock markets. The rise or decline in average earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls is also a vital statistic, as it is a precursory indicator of inflation levels.
Analysis of Past NFP Reports: What Worked and What Didn't
The U.S. labor market remained tight throughout 2022 and in the first quarter of 2023. The U.S. dollar gained momentum last year thanks to the strong employment data driving the Fed to raise interest rates, with the greenback appreciating more than 12% to hit a two-decade high last September. Even though the nonfarm private labor market has remained tight so far, the Fed has signaled slower rate hikes in the near term because of the recent banking crisis. The U.S. dollar index has slipped by 2% year-to-date.
According to the nonfarm payroll report for March, 236,000 total jobs were added month over month. This number was slightly lower than the predicted 240,000 reading, causing the U.S. dollar index to rise by just 15 pips.
Top Strategies and Tips for Trading the NFP Report
Risk Management Techniques
Noting the market expectations regarding the upcoming nonfarm payroll report can help investors trade the nonfarm payroll report profitably without taking on too much risk. Traders also should be aware of the prior NFP report numbers before trading the upcoming report, as any sequential change has a sizable impact on the U.S. dollar. In addition, beginners should note that the nonfarm payroll report is subject to revision at a later date, which can trigger an immense movement in the forex market.
Position Sizing
As the forex market is highly leveraged, optimal position sizing is crucial before placing any forex trades. While the ideal position size varies from trader to trader, knowing your risk appetite and the market sentiment should allow you to make a calculated bet. Moreover, keeping in mind the risk-to-reward ratio is vital, as it will allow traders to estimate how much money they stand to make or lose on a particular trade in case of both positive and inverse market movements.
Entry/Exit Points
The NFP report is released at 8:30 a.m. ET on the first Friday of the month. The forex market is most volatile before the pre-release hours on Friday and often leads to random swings in currency exchange rates. Assuming a long or short position during the pre-release hours on Friday is preferable, as the market responds once the data is released. Traders also can exit their position soon after the data is released, as only small price movements are witnessed after the markets have adjusted for the latest employment data.
Forex Trading and the NFP Report
NFP is the second-most-important economic release forex traders follow, after the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) minutes of the meeting are released. While trading the NFP report can be confusing, knowing the market sentiment regarding the current employment trend can help traders navigate trading during such volatile periods. This is because the forex traders don’t trade the actual NFP report numbers but the market expectation and reaction.
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