Econ Core User Guide
Track and analyze key economic indicators with interactive charts and historical data.
Table of Contents
Basic Usage
What do the values and arrows on the main screen mean?
Each row shows an indicator's latest value and how far it has moved over the past year. Green and red chips carry an up or down arrow. Rates move in points, such as "0.21 pts", and most other indicators move in percent.
What is the "updates" strip at the top of the list?
It appears when indicators on your list have new readings since your last visit, for example "2 updates since yesterday". Tap it to see what changed, how each indicator moved and the next scheduled release.
How do I search for economic indicators?
On iPhone, pull the list down slightly to reveal the Search Indicators field. On iPad, it sits above the list. Search covers all 328 indicators, including ones hidden from your list. You can search by name, series ID, category, source, units, frequency or words in the definition. Results update as you type, and small typos are tolerated. Tap the X button to clear your search.
How do I customize my indicators?
Tap Edit in the top-right corner. Use the switches to show or hide indicators. Drag the handles to reorder the list. Tap the checkmark when you're done. Changes save automatically. To restore the original list, open Settings and tap Reset Indicators.
Viewing Data
How do I view detailed information about an indicator?
Tap any indicator in the list. The detail screen shows the latest value, its change over the selected range, a chart, and information about the indicator. On iPad, the list and detail appear side by side.
How do I change the time range?
Tap a button above the chart: 1Y, 3Y, 5Y, 10Y, 20Y or Max. Only the ranges an indicator's history covers are shown.
How do I see the value at a specific date?
Tap anywhere on the chart. A card shows the value, date, how long ago that was and how it ranks within the range you're viewing. Except on indicators for other countries, it also shows who held the Presidency, Senate and House. Charts don't support pinch-to-zoom. Use the range buttons to change the period.
What are the shaded bands and colored bars on a chart?
Shaded bands mark U.S. recessions. The three bars below the chart show which party held the Presidency, Senate and House: blue for Democratic and red for Republican. Both are hidden on indicators for other countries. You can turn either off in Settings.
What does "Why it matters" show?
Where a comparison is meaningful, it shows how the latest value ranks against the indicator's own history, using a bar that marks the median. It also shows the most recent move and, where available, the next scheduled release.
What else is on the detail screen?
Below the chart you'll find the average, range, standard deviation and number of observations for the selected period. The About section gives a plain-language definition, source, units, frequency and how far back the data goes. Related lists similar indicators you can open.
Release Calendar and Alerts
How do I see upcoming releases?
Tap the calendar button at the top of the main screen. It lists the next 30 days of releases for the indicators on your list, grouped by day, with the indicators each release updates. A dot on the button means one of your indicators is released today. Tap a release to open the first indicator it updates.
Why isn't an indicator on the calendar?
The calendar lists releases published through FRED. Daily market data and indicators from other sources, such as the World Bank, Eurostat, the U.S. Treasury and crypto prices, aren't listed. Hidden indicators aren't listed either.
How do I get an alert for a release?
Tap the bell next to a release in the calendar. Allow notifications if asked. Tap the bell again to stop alerts for that release.
When do alerts arrive?
Reminders are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern on release day, wherever you are. If the app fetches the new numbers, an alert with the reading replaces the reminder. Tapping an alert opens the indicator.
Why do some alerts include the new numbers and others don't?
The app can only include a new reading if it gets to run on release day, either when you open it or when iOS allows a background refresh. Otherwise you get a reminder that the release is out, without the numbers.
Exporting and Sharing
How do I export data or share a chart?
Open an indicator and tap the share button in the top-right corner. Choose CSV Data or Chart Image. Choose a date range: All Data, Last Year, Last 5 Years, Last 10 Years, Since 2020, Since 2008 or Custom Range. Tap Share CSV or Share Image, then choose where to send or save it. Custom date ranges apply to exports only, not to the chart on screen.
Data Updates
How often is the data updated?
Each source publishes on its own schedule: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. The app checks for new data on a schedule matched to each indicator, when you open it and when iOS allows a background refresh. To check every indicator on your list right away, pull down on the list. An internet connection is required for updates.
Where does the data come from?
Data comes from FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data), the U.S. Treasury, the World Bank, Eurostat, DBnomics, the IMF and CoinGecko. Each indicator's About section names its source. For full credits, open Settings and tap Data Sources.
Can I use the app offline?
Yes. The app shows the most recent data saved on your device, with an Offline Mode banner at the top of the list. Indicators you haven't viewed before can't load until you reconnect.
Settings and Preferences
What settings are available?
Tap the gear button at the top of the main screen to open Settings. Show Recessions shows or hides recession shading on charts. Show Political Context shows or hides the Presidency, Senate and House bars. Reset Indicators restores the original order and visibility of your list. Enable Haptic Feedback turns vibration feedback on or off (iPhone only). Intensity sets how strong the haptic feedback is. Chart Interactions turns haptics for chart taps on or off. Accessibility Features turns extra haptics for VoiceOver navigation on or off.
Does the app have a dark mode?
Yes. Econ Core follows your device's Light or Dark appearance. There's no separate setting in the app.
Do I need an account? What data does the app collect?
No account is needed. The app has no ads, analytics or tracking. Your list and followed releases are stored on your device. See the Privacy Policy.
How do I provide feedback?
Open Settings and tap Contact Us to go to our support page. To leave a review, tap Rate App.
Troubleshooting
Why do some rows show a gray bar instead of a value?
The app is still fetching that indicator. With many indicators on your list, rows further down can take longer. Check your internet connection if the bar doesn't clear, or pull down on the list to try again.
Why do I see a message that a source couldn't be reached?
The message names the source and the problem, which is often on the source's side rather than your connection. If saved data exists, the app shows it with a note such as "Showing data saved 2 hours ago". Tap Retry or Try Again to fetch it again.
Why am I not getting release alerts?
Check that the bell is filled in on the Calendar screen, then make sure notifications are allowed for Econ Core in the iOS Settings app. If they're off and you follow any release, the Calendar screen shows a link to turn them on. Alerts only cover indicators on your list.
Why doesn't an alert show the new numbers?
See "Why do some alerts include the new numbers and others don't?" under Release Calendar and Alerts. Turning on Background App Refresh for Econ Core in the iOS Settings app gives the app a better chance to run on release day.