Major Fundamental Factors That Works in Forex!

Since fundamental analysis is about looking at the intrinsic value of an investment, its application in forex entails looking at the economic conditions that affect the valuation of a nation's currency. Here we look at some of the major fundamental factors that play a role in a currency's movement.

Economic Indicators

Economic indicators are reports released by the government or a private organization that details a country's economic performance. Economic reports are the means by which a country's economic health is directly measured, but remember that many factors and policies will affect a nation's economic performance.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

GDP is considered the broadest measure of a country's economy, and it represents the total market value of all goods and services produced in a country during a given year. Since the GDP figure itself is often considered a lagging indicator, most traders focus on the two reports that are issued in the months before the final GDP figures: the advance report and the preliminary report. Significant revisions between these reports can cause considerable volatility. The GDP is somewhat analogous to the gross profit margin of a publicly-traded company in that they are both measures of internal growth.

Retail Sales

The retail-sales report measures the total receipts of all retail stores in a given country. This measurement is derived from a diverse sample of retail stores throughout a nation. The report is particularly useful as a timely indicator of broad consumer spending patterns that are adjusted for seasonal variables. It can be used to predict the performance of more important lagging indicators and to assess the immediate direction of an economy. Revisions to advanced reports of retail sales can cause significant volatility. The retail sales report can be compared to the sales activity of a publicly-traded company.

Industrial Production

This report shows a change in the production of factories, mines, and utilities within a nation. It also reports their "capacity utilization," the degree to which each factory's capacity is being used. It is ideal for a nation to see a production increase while being at its maximum or near-maximum capacity utilization.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

The CPI measures change in the prices of consumer goods across over 200 different categories. This report, when compared to a nation's exports, can be used to see if a country is making or losing money on its products and services. Be careful, however, to monitor the exports — it is a popular focus with many traders because the prices of exports often change relative to a currency's strength or weakness.

In the end, the fundamental analysis is the primary key in forex analysis. It's important to take the time to not only look at the numbers but also understand what they mean in how they affect a nation's economy. When properly used, these indicators can be an invaluable resource for any currency trader.
Source: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/trading/04/031704.asp