In the week ahead, market watchers will be focusing on speeches by Fed Chair Janet Yellen, as well as reports on U.S. retail sales and housing starts. Data on first quarter Chinese economic growth and a rate decision by the Bank of Canada will also be closely watched.
Monday, April 14
The euro zone is to release data on industrial production. The U.S. is to produce data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity.
Tuesday, April 15
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. Switzerland is to release data on producer price inflation. The U.K. is to release data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for the majority of overall inflation. 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. At the same time, the U.S. is to produce data on consumer inflation. Later Tuesday, Fed Chair Janet Yellen is to speak; her comments will be closely watched.
Wednesday, April 16
New Zealand is to release a report on consumer inflation. China is to publish data on first quarter gross domestic product, the broadest indicator of economic activity and the leading indicator of economic growth. The nation is also to release data on industrial production. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is to speak at an event in Tokyo; his comments will be closely watched. 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. The ZEW Institute is to publish a report on economic expectations in Switzerland, a leading indicator of economic health. The euro zone is to release revised data on inflation. The U.S. is to produce reports on housing starts, building permits and industrial production. The Bank of Canada 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. Later Wednesday, Fed Chair Janet Yellen is to speak at an event in New York.
Thursday, April 17
Australia is to release private sector data on business confidence, as well as official data on new vehicle sales. The euro zone is to publish data on the current account, while Germany is to produce data on producer price inflation. Canada is to publish data on consumer inflation. The U.S. is to publish data on initial jobless claims and a report on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
Friday, April 18
Markets in European and the U.S. will be closed for the Good Friday holiday.