In the week ahead, markets will be focusing on Wednesday’s minutes of the Fed’s most recent policy setting meeting. Monetary policy meetings by the Bank of Japan and the Bank of England will also be closely watched.
Monday, April 7
Markets in China will be closed for a national holiday. 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. Switzerland is also to release data on consumer price inflation. The Bank of Canada is to publish its quarterly business outlook survey.
Tuesday, April 8
Both Australia and New Zealand are to publish private sector reports on business confidence. The BoJ is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish its monetary policy statement, which outlines economic conditions and the factors affecting the bank’s decision. The announcement is to be followed by a press conference. Japan is also to publish data on the current account. Switzerland is to release data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity. The U.K. is to release a report on industrial and manufacturing production, a leading indicator of economic health. Canada is to produce data on building permits.
Wednesday, April 9
Australia is to release private sector data on consumer sentiment, as well as official data on home loans. Both Germany and the U.K. are to produce data on the trade balance, the difference in value between imports and exports. Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is to publish what will be the closely watched minutes of its latest policy meeting.
Thursday, April 10
New Zealand is to release private sector data on manufacturing activity. Australia is to release data on the change in the number of people employed and the unemployment rate, in addition to private sector data on inflation expectations. Japan is to produce a report on core machinery orders. The BoE is to announce its benchmark interest rate. Canada is to publish data on new house price inflation. In the U.S., the Labor Department is to release its weekly report on initial jobless claims.
Friday, April 11
The BoJ is to publish monetary policy meeting minutes. China is to produce data on consumer price inflation. The U.S. is to round up the week with data on producer price inflation and the preliminary report on the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index.