CPI Trading Strategy How To Trade Inflation News Rules, Backtest

By: Flaka Ismaili    March 13, 2023

Traders can use different data points from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report to make informed trading decisions. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is calculated using a statistical survey that collects data on the prices of a representative basket of goods and services purchased by consumers. Investors use it to predict future inflation and interest rate changes, which can affect the value of stocks, bonds, and other financial assets. CPI figures are released regularly, with some countries reporting monthly, quarterly, or even yearly data. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for instance, has been publishing the CPI monthly since 1913.

On the other hand, landlords may use CPI information to adequately assess what annual rent increases for renters should be. Make sure you bookmark our economic calendar to stay tuned in to the latest CPI data released by a range of countries, and stay abreast of all the DailyFX news and analysis updates. Also, reserve your place at our Central Bank Weekly webinar series to learn about news events, market reactions, and macro trends. As can be observed in the example above, as inflation rose during the first half of 2018, the US Dollar Index went up accordingly.

Therefore, traders should follow economic releases and monitor the price movement during these events. When inflation rises, the purchasing power declines, which means that a consumer can buy fewer goods and services for every currency unit (let’s say, 1 dollar). Otherwise, when inflation falls, the purchasing power increases, which means that a consumer can buy more goods and services for every currency unit. It shows to the government, businesses, and citizens how prices have changed in the economy over some period.

By understanding CPI and its implications, traders can make more informed decisions and adjust their trading strategies accordingly. If another country experiences a decline in CPI, indicating sluggish economic growth, its central bank https://traderoom.info/ might decide to lower interest rates. This could weaken that country’s currency and impact forex trading pairs involving that currency. This strategy involves profiting from sudden market movements following the release of the CPI data.

  1. A major part of the remit of central banks like the Federal Reserve or Bank of England is keeping inflation in line with targets.
  2. Should inflation rise sharply as it has in countries such as Brazil and Venezuela in recent years, consumers will be less inclined to save money as their purchasing power erodes.
  3. CPI reflects price fluctuations for a wide range of consumer goods and services.
  4. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases a monthly CPI report that includes statistics about how the prices of different goods and services change over the last month and the last 12-month period.
  5. Price change for each subcategory is provided with and without seasonal adjustment.

Furthermore, incorporating CPI data into forex trading strategies requires staying updated on key economic indicators and central bank decisions. By monitoring central bank policies and potential shifts, traders can gain insights into how monetary authorities are likely to respond to changes in inflation levels. This information can help traders anticipate currency movements and adjust their strategies accordingly. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a widely used economic indicator that measures the average change in prices of a basket of goods and services over time. The basket includes essential items such as food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and education, and it is released monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The CPI is a valuable tool for traders, investors, and policymakers, as it helps them understand inflation trends and their potential impact on the economy.

Like all government data figures, the CPI figure is subject to revisions by economists. Such changes can fuel significant volatility in a currency’s value on the global market. If CPI is increasing, then it gives a central bank such as the Fed the necessary supportive data to hike rates. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a monthly measure of the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. Inflation tracked through CPI looks specifically at purchasing power and the rise of prices of goods and services in an economy, which can be used to influence a nation’s monetary policy. The Consumer Price Index, better known by the acronym CPI, is an important economic indicator released on a regular basis by major economies to give a timely glimpse into current growth and inflation levels.

For example, soaring education costs may adversely impact younger individuals, while the impact of increasing elderly care costs is felt by a different group of individuals. Mortgage rates (and xor neural network other forms of long-term debt) are often impacted by rates set by government agencies. As the CPI increases and the government enacts policy changes to slow inflation, rates often increase.

What is CPI and why does it matter to forex traders?

In addition to tracking the m/m changes in core CPI, the y/y change in core CPI is seen by most economists as the best measure of the underlying inflation rate. Close attention needs to be paid to the “core rate” as this rate excludes volatile energy and food prices to give a more strict measurement of general prices. The CPI is a fixed quantity price index and also a form of cost of living index and is considered one of the most useful tools in financial circles as it can provide clues as to movements in inflation.

How CPI Data Affects the Dollar on the Forex Market

A major part of the remit of central banks like the Federal Reserve or Bank of England is keeping inflation in line with targets. To do so they will use monetary policy adjustments, like changing the base interest rate. This strategy revolves around long-term currency pair movements based on CPI trends. Fundamental analysis assists in evaluating the inflation forecast and monetary policy across different regions. For example, a lower-than-expected Eurozone inflation rise can lead traders to sell the euro and buy stronger currencies, staying with the downtrend until reversal. When trading forex based on CPI data, traders should watch for major deviations from forecasted CPI figures, indicating potential inflationary or deflationary pressures.

Data collection notice

User fees and sales or excise taxes are included, while income taxes and the prices of investments such as stocks, bonds, or life insurance policies are not part of the CPI. As a new trader or investor, understanding the origin, calculation, and key numbers of the CPI report is crucial in making informed decisions. Inflation affects the purchasing power of consumers and the value of money, and can have a direct impact on the demand for goods and services, as well as the supply of goods and services.

The CPI calculation is a complex process that needs to consider a broad range of consumer goods and services and their relative importance to the average consumer. To calculate the CPI, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects data on the prices of thousands of items from around the country each month. They then weight each item based on its importance in the average consumer’s budget.

The trimmed inflation rate, which excludes the most volatile 30% of items, came in at 4.2%, falling from 5.2% in the third quarter. This prolonged period of subdued data validates the impact of the RBA’s thirteen rate hikes from May 2022 to November 23rd and supports the expectation for the RBA to maintain the cash rate at 4.35% in February. While it may be premature for the RBA to make a dovish shift, two rate cuts are anticipated in the latter half of 2024, potentially reducing the cash rate to 3.85%. This article explores the MACD + RSI trading strategy and how it can be effectively employed to identify trade opportunities in the forex market. This article introduces you to a trading strategy that doesn’t require volumes, technical indicators, and price patterns. It’s a good idea to check the time of the next CPI release before, open the charts with the currency of the country issuing CPI to be fully prepared once it’s out, and monitor the price movement.

The CPI and its components are also used as a deflator for other economic indicators, including retail sales and hourly/weekly earnings, to separate fundamental change from that reflecting change in prices. Employees may turn to CPI reports when approaching their employers for a raise based on nationwide increases in labor rates as well as pricing. When using CPI data to influence forex trading decisions, traders should consider the market expectations for inflation and what is likely to happen to the currency if these expectations are met, or if they are missed.

Understanding the effects of CPI data involves monitoring currency movements, like the U.S. By analyzing both fundamental and technical aspects, traders can make informed decisions in the forex market. This market commentary and analysis has been prepared for ATFX by a third party for general information purposes only. You should therefore seek independent advice before making any investment decisions. This information has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.