In the week ahead, the Fed is to publish the minutes of its December meeting on Wednesday, while the U.S. jobs report for December is scheduled to be released on Friday. Meanwhile, interest rate decisions by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England will also be in focus.
Monday, January 6
Germany is to release preliminary data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for the majority of overall inflation. The U.K. is to produce data on service sector activity, a leading indicator of economic health. The U.S. is to publish data on factory orders, while the Institute of Supply Management is to release data on service sector activity.
Tuesday, January 7
Australia is to publish data on the trade balance, the difference in value between imports and exports. Germany is to release data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity, as well as data on the change in the number of people unemployed. The euro zone is to produce preliminary data on consumer inflation. The Swiss National Bank is to publish data on its foreign currency reserves. This data is closely scrutinized for indications of the size of the bank’s operations in currency markets. Both the U.S. and Canada are to publish reports on the trade balance, while Canada is also to release a report on the Ivey PMI.
Wednesday, January 8
Germany is to release reports on the trade balance and factory orders. Meanwhile, the euro zone is to produce data on the unemployment rate and a separate report on retail sales. The U.S. is to release the ADP report on private sector job creation, which leads the government’s nonfarm payrolls report by two days. Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is to publish what will be the closely watched minutes of its latest policy meeting. New Zealand is to publish data on building consents, a leading indicator of future construction activity.
Thursday, January 9
Australia is to publish data on building approvals, as well as a report on retail sales. China is to publish data on consumer inflation. The U.K. is to release data on the trade balance. Meanwhile, the BoE is to announce its benchmark interest rate. Later in the day, the ECB is to announce its benchmark interest rate. The announcement is to be followed by a press conference with President Mario Draghi. Germany is to publish data on industrial production. Canada is to produce data on building permits and new house price inflation. In the U.S., the Labor Department is to release its weekly report on initial jobless claims.
Friday, January 10
Switzerland is to publish data on consumer inflation. The U.K. is to release a report on industrial and manufacturing production, a leading indicator of economic health. Canada is to release data on the change in the number of people employed and the unemployment rate. The U.S. is to round up the week with the closely watched government data on nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment rate.