Trading Economics: A Guide to Economic Statistics for Practitioners & Students
A practical guide to understanding economic statistics and how they drive financial markets, written by Lloyds Bank chief economist Trevor Williams and co-author Victoria Turton.
Trading Economics by Trevor Williams and Victoria Turton is a hands-on guide to the economic data that moves financial markets. Published by Wiley Finance in 2014, the book walks readers through the key economic indicators that traders, investors, and policymakers rely on to make decisions. From GDP and inflation to labour markets, monetary policy, and global trade, each chapter explains what the numbers mean, how they’re measured, and why they matter.
Written in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the book uses UK-focused examples to show how economic statistics connect to real market movements. The authors explain concepts like the Purchasing Managers’ Index, quantitative easing, balance of payments, and fiscal policy in practical terms, with charts and real-world examples showing how data releases triggered market reactions. The framework applies globally, making it useful for anyone trying to understand how economic data shapes investment decisions.
What sets this book apart is its focus on practical application. Williams and Turton don’t just define the statistics. They show how to read them, what to look for in the breakdowns, and how different indicators connect to each other. Whether you’re a finance professional, economics student, or someone who wants to understand what those headlines about GDP and inflation actually mean, this book provides a solid foundation for reading the economic landscape.