In the week ahead, investors will be looking ahead to Wednesday’s monetary policy announcement by the Federal Reserve. The bank is also to publish its economic forecasts. The euro zone is to produce the closely watched ZEW index of German economic sentiment, while the U.K. is to release data on employment.
Monday, March 17
The euro zone is to release data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for the majority of overall inflation. Canada is to produce data on foreign investments. The U.S. is to publish data on manufacturing activity in the Empire State, as well as reports on industrial production and long term securities transactions.
Tuesday, March 18
The Reserve Bank of Australia is to publish the minutes of its latest policy meeting, which contain valuable insights into economic conditions from the bank’s perspective. The ZEW Institute is to release its closely watched report on German economic sentiment, a leading indicator of economic health. Canada is to publish data on manufacturing sales. Later Tuesday, Bank of Canada Governor Steven Poloz is to speak, his comments will be closely watched. The U.S. is to produce data on consumer inflation, in addition to reports on building permits and housing starts. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney is to speak at an event in London.
Wednesday, March 19
Japan is to publish data on the trade balance, the difference in value between imports and exports. Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is to speak at an event in Tokyo. The U.K. is to release official data on the change in the number of people unemployed and the unemployment rate, as well as data on average earnings and public sector borrowing. Meanwhile, the Bank of England is to publish the minutes of its most recent policy setting meeting. The ZEW Institute is to publish a report on economic expectations in Switzerland, a leading indicator of economic health. Canada is to release data on wholesale sales. The Federal Reserve is to announce its federal funds rate and publish economic forecasts for inflation and growth. The Fed statement is to be followed by a press conference with Chair Janet Yellen. Later Wednesday, New Zealand is to publish data on fourth quarter gross domestic product, the broadest indicator of economic activity and the leading indicator of economic growth.
Thursday, March 20
Germany is to release data on producer price inflation. BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is to speak at an event in Tokyo. The Swiss National Bank is to announce its libor rate. The bank is also to publish its quarterly monetary policy assessment. Political leaders and finance ministers from the EU are to hold the first day of an economic summit in Brussels. The U.K. is to release private sector data on industrial order expectations. The U.K. government is to make its annual budget statement. The U.S. is to publish the weekly report on initial jobless claims, as well as data on existing home sales and manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
Friday, March 21
Markets in Japan are to remain closed for a national holiday. The euro zone is to release data on the current account. Meanwhile, political leaders and finance ministers from the European Union are to hold the second day of an economic summit in Brussels. The U.K. is to produce data on public sector net borrowing. Canada is to produce official data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity, as well as data on consumer inflation.