ES Economic Reports That Actually Move Price
Most beginners get blindsided because they don’t know which economic reports actually move ES. Not all news matters. Only a handful consistently create real volatility and blow out traders who aren’t prepared. Here’s the list you need to memorize.
The Reports That Hit ES the Hardest
These reports repeatedly create fast moves, stop hunts, and instant price dislocations. Treat them with respect.
| Report | Time (ET) | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) | 8:30 AM | Massive volatility, huge slippage |
| CPI (Inflation) | 8:30 AM | One of the biggest ES movers |
| FOMC Rate Decision | 2:00 PM | Extreme volatility spikes |
| FOMC Press Conference | 2:30 PM | Trend destruction or creation |
| ISM Manufacturing/Services | 10:00 AM | Reliable mid-morning spike |
| JOLTS | 10:00 AM | Surprisingly strong volatility impact |
| PPI | 8:30 AM | Secondary inflation data, still powerful |
If you want to understand why 10 AM hits so hard, read Best Times to Trade ES.
How These Reports Affect ES Structure
- They clear liquidity from the DOM.
- They expand ATR instantly.
- They trigger algorithmic momentum bursts.
- They invalidate structure temporarily.
This is why you don’t trade with tight stops during news windows. ES will rip through your level without hesitation.
How to Trade Around News Like a Professional
1. Stand Down During the Release
Don’t be the hero trying to predict CPI or NFP. Institutions don’t know the print ahead of time — you sure don’t.
2. Wait for Post-Release Structure to Form
Give it 3–5 minutes. Let the dust settle. Then identify the first real break of structure (BOS).
3. Use ATR to Decide When It’s Safe
ATR collapses quickly after massive spikes. Once it normalizes, setups become readable again. For ATR guidance, see ES ATR Volatility Zones.
4. The First Pullback After News Is Usually the Cleanest
Momentum from news often continues for 10–20 minutes. The first clean pullback gives you a safe entry with the least slippage.
Final Takeaway
ES isn’t random during news — it’s reacting to liquidity gaps and volatility expansion. Once you know which reports matter and how to trade around them, you stop getting blindsided and start staying alive during the most dangerous part of the trading day.