Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Release | Time (CT)* |
CPI Report | 7:30 AM |
Unemployment Rate (Non-Farm Payroll) | 7:30 AM |
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM |
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM |
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM |
Crop Production | 11:00 AM |
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
Trading During the News
Topstep restricts trading for a short period during Tier 1 News Events. learn more here.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.