This is a mid month week usually a quiet time for economic data. After last week’s Chinese and US data, the markets are looking for directions, but this week, will probably be all about Spain and Italy. News will take the center stage.
Below is a quick listing of what to expect this week.
Asia
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- The week kicks off with February lending finance from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Monday
- We also see the Japanese industrial production data as well as the New Zealand CPI
- On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia will make available the minutes of its latest policy meeting, where it kept interest rates on hold for the third consecutive time. Investors will pore over the release for any hint on the likely direction of interest rates in the future. On making its April decision, the RBA hinted a cut may be on the horizon given its economic forecasts were overly optimistic. The RBA last cut the cash rate in November, but has come under intense pressure from various industries, especially the manufacturing sector, to lower the rate again
- Also Tuesday sees new car sales data for March released by the ABS
- On Thursday, the National Bank Of Australia will release its business conditions index for the first quarter
- Friday sees the ABS set out international trade price data for the first quarter
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Europe
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- In the United Kingdom, March quarter consumer price index data is awaited, as well as the retail price index for the period will be announced on Tuesday
- There will also be the eurozone Core CPI and CPI, which is much awaited by the markets
- Wednesday brings us Average earnings data for April is due in the UK, along with claimant count data for March. ILO unemployment rate figures for the three months to April are also awaited
- On Friday, March retail sales data is due in the UK. Along with the all important German data, German Ifo Business Climate Index, German Current Assessment and German Business Expectations
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USA
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- In the US on Monday, retail sales data for March is due, alongside the housing market index. Economists are tipping sales to have lifted by 0.4 per cent during the month, and by 0.6 per cent excluding cars. February business inventories data is also awaited, as well as the New York Empire State manufacturing survey
- US Treasury international capital data is also on tap
- Building permit figures for March will also be released, along with capacity utilization numbers for the month
- On Wednesday, the weekly Energy Information Administration petroleum status report is due
- Thursday sees existing home sales data released in the US, along with existing home sales figures. Experts are tipping the data to show a 0.1 per cent increase in home sales for the month
- The Philadelphia Federal Reserve survey rounds out a busy day in the US
- St Louis Federal Reserve president James Bullard will speak on the local economy and monetary policy in the US
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Elsewhere this week:
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- Tuesday bring us the much awaited Bank of Canada rate decision
- On Thursday IMF Chief Christina Lagarde will host a news conference. The Group of 24 countries will meet in Washington, DC
- The IMF and World Bank will kick off their spring 2012 meetings, and the three-day World Investment Forum will begin in Qatar
- The three-day World Economic Forum on Latin America will begin in Mexico
- The thirteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development will also be held in Qatar
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