Explainer: Charting the Fed’s economic data flow

The US central bank held its benchmark overnight interest rate steady in the 5.25 per cent-5.50 per cent range at the conclusion of its July 30-31 policy meeting, but since then Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has declared “the time has come for policy to adjust,” signalling that rate cuts are likely to begin at the Sept. 17-18 meeting.

Just what size of a reduction – 25 basis points or 50 – will hinge on data between now and then.

Among the key statistics the US central...