Macroeconomic trends don’t leave much space for surprise. Those who deal with volatility do not tend to be people who react to general news or deal with it as it comes. Being aware of the news and having an argument prepared tend to overshadow almost all reactions to news. July 2026 has 5 major news releases that will impact the value of currencies, indices, and metals within a couple of minutes.
1. Unemployment Rate (July 2)
The unemployment rate in July comes right out of the gate when the labor numbers are published. The unemployment rate is the purest measure of slack in the US economy; if it goes up by one point, it indicates a slowdown in the labor market and expectations for lower interest rates, whereas if it falls, it makes the greenback more solid. Take a look at the EUR/USD and XAU/USD pairings carefully.
2. Non-Farm Payrolls (July 2)
This jobs report is the most impactful report of the month. It comes a day early in this case. A hot print has the potential to lead to a stronger dollar due to expectations of a more hawkish Fed and stronger gold, while a bad print tends to do the opposite. Look to EUR/USD and XAU/USD for the best opportunities. Average hourly earnings tend to impact the market more than the actual print of Non-Farm Payrolls.
