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) | Products Affected |
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 (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG |
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL |
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Topstep doesn't require you to flatten positions during economic releases — in SIM or Funded Accounts. But we highly recommend using caution or stepping aside when a release is coming up that affects your product.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
A few things to know:
Trades impacted by economic releases are not eligible for exceptions or Reset credits
Results are your responsibility — full stop
To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely
⚠️ You own the outcome. Trade accordingly.
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.
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.