I still remember that one Thursday morning back in 2006.
I was running a multimillion-dollar book, feeling good, positioned long ahead of a GDP print I was convinced would miss.
Everything lined up. The Street was leaning heavy on the downside.
Then the number came out.
It blew expectations out of the water. GDP wasn’t weak, it was roaring.
The market gapped against me. I watched my positions get steamrolled before I even had a chance to sip my coffee.
By the time I cut the trades, the damage was done. Not fatal, but it sure left a mark.
That day taught me a simple truth: Economic data doesn’t just “matter.”
It moves the tape instantly. And if you’re not ready before it hits, you’re reacting, not trading.
Nowadays, I prep differently by building trades that respect the unknown.
I focus on defined-risk setups and keep a playbook for multiple outcomes. I’m not trying to guess the number: I’m positioning to profit from movement.
Whether the print comes in hot, cold, or sideways.
This week, we’ve got a string of high-impact reports dropping one after the other. It’s exactly the kind of stretch where unprepared traders get caught flat-footed and where smart ones press their edge.
Let’s look at what’s on deck and how you can be one of the smart ones.
Monday – Flash PMIs & Manufacturing PMI
Monday kicks off with the flash services and manufacturing PMI.
These are pre‑releases that set the tone for the month.
If either comes in hotter than expected, we could see a knee‑jerk rally in cyclical names.
Cooler? Defensive names go bid.
Tuesday – Consumer Confidence
Tuesday brings the consumer confidence report.
This one’s a sentiment spread.
A surprise jump could fuel consumer discretionary names; a dip and you’ll see bond proxies rally.
Wednesday – New Home Sales
Midweek, we hit new home sales.
Housing is showing cracks, and the Fed’s impact hits home (pun intended).
If sales disappoint, builders’ ETFs could tank.
Options on housing-related names will see a volatile squeeze. Watch for a reaction.
Thursday – Jobless Claims, Durable Goods & GDP Revision
Thursday is the mother lode:
- Jobless claims show the pulse of the labor market every week.
- Durable goods orders speak to industrial health.
- GDP second revision confirms or adjusts the prior print.
Each carries weight on the rates outlook.
If we see a hawkish GDP revision, expect bonds selling off and reflation trades ripping.
A weak durable‑goods print? That’s inflation relief talk and bond names slide.
Friday – Final Sentiment, PCE & Core PCE
To close, Friday hits three key inflation/sentiment measures:
- Final consumer sentiment (Michigan),
- Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE),
- Core PCE
The core PCE is the Fed’s inflation yardstick.
A surprise could move rates expectations in a heartbeat. Volatility here will be chaotic in equities and rates.
Side Note, and Onward
This past Friday also dropped a curveball of sorts.
Fed governor Chris Waller floated the idea of a rate cut as early as July, even though the FOMC just voted unanimously to hold rates steady.
It remains to be seen what, if anything, might come of those remarks. And the data I outlined above aren’t the only ones moving this week, just the major ones.
So wrap your head around the layout. Print by print, day by day, one step at a time.
That’s how you slice the week without getting eaten by a nasty fill. Stick with the plan, manage size, and own your convictions.
Stay street smart,
Jeff Zananiri
P.S. Today at 10 a.m. ET, Danny Phee will take you through one of the fastest-growing opportunities in the market right now:
These contracts move fast and hit big. Learn to trade them the right way.
👉 [Save your seat now — before space fills up.]
