Why Events Matter
Stock prices don't move randomly. Big price jumps usually happen around events — earnings reports, dividend dates, stock splits, and economic announcements. Knowing when these events are coming helps you prepare instead of react.
The Events Calendar shows you all upcoming events for the stocks in your watchlist and portfolio. It's like having a market planner on your desk.
Earnings Reports
Earnings reports come out every quarter (four times a year). The company tells the world how much money it made. If results beat expectations, the stock often jumps. If results disappoint, it often drops.
The calendar shows the date and whether the report comes out before the market opens or after it closes. This matters because it tells you when the big price move is likely to happen.
Dividends and Splits
Dividends are payments companies make to shareholders. The calendar shows the "ex-date" — you must own the stock before this date to get the payment. If you buy on or after the ex-date, you don't get the dividend.
Stock splits make shares cheaper by giving you more of them. If a stock splits 2-for-1, you get twice as many shares at half the price. Your total value stays the same. Splits usually signal that the company is doing well.
Economic Indicators
The calendar also shows big economic events like Federal Reserve meetings, jobs reports, and inflation data. These can move the entire market — not just individual stocks.
For example, when the Fed raises interest rates, growth stocks often drop because borrowing becomes more expensive. When jobs data is strong, the market usually goes up. These events set the mood for the whole week.
Setting Event Triggers
You can set triggers that automatically alert you before certain events. For example: "Notify me 2 days before any stock in my watchlist reports earnings." This gives you time to review your position and decide if you want to hold through the event or step aside.
Holding through earnings is one of the riskiest things in trading. The stock can move 5-10% in minutes. Event triggers make sure you're aware before that happens.