Some speakers intend that "forward" (in time) means sooner.

For example a writer [at this link](https://economics.stackexchange.com/questions/37785/could-covid-19-have-brought-deaths-forward-rather-than-creating-more) posted the title

> 
> "Could COVID-19 have brought deaths forward"
> 
> 
> 

and elaborated thus:

> 
> Is it possible the combination of COVID-19 and absence of effective
> treatments took the lives of people who would have otherwise died
> later in 2020.
> 
> 
> 

In other words, to bring deaths forward in time means deaths sooner. In general, according to some people, an event moved forward in time means sooner. This seems to be the prevailing meaning when securities markets people are speaking.

Events in time are usually depicted along a horizontal axis with distantly past events to the left of the present time and forecasts, if any, are depicted to the right. In fact there is such a depiction at the link. With this picture in mind, "forward" seems to be later in time. That is a starkly different or opposite interpretation.

What do you think is the generally prevailing usage?

*I quoted the writer to preserve this example in case his or her question fails the website quality standard. If it fails the internet link may be broken.*