In the week ahead, market watchers will be focusing on U.S. data on housing and manufacturing activity, while manufacturing data from China will also be closely watched. The euro zone is to release data on private sector activity, while the U.K. is to produce a report on retail sales.
Monday, April 21
Markets in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and the euro zone are to remain closed for Easter Monday. Meanwhile, Japan is to release data on the trade balance.
Tuesday, April 22
Australia is to publish an index of leading economic indicators. Canada is to produce data on wholesale sales. The U.S. is to release private sector data on existing home sales.
Wednesday, April 23
Australia is to publish data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for the majority of overall inflation. China is to release the preliminary estimate of the HSBC manufacturing index, a leading indicator of economic health. The euro zone is to release preliminary data on manufacturing and service sector activity, a leading indicator of economic health. Germany and France are also to release individual reports. The U.K. is to release data on public sector borrowing, while the BoE is to publish the minutes of its April meeting. The nation is also to publish private sector data on industrial order expectations. Canada is to produce official data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity. The U.S. is to publish reports on new home sales and manufacturing activity.
Thursday, April 24
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish its rate statement, which outlines economic conditions and the factors affecting the monetary policy decision. In the euro zone, Germany is to release the Ifo report on business climate. ECB President Mario Draghi is to speak at an event in Amsterdam; his comments will be closely watched. The U.S. is to publish data on durable goods orders and the weekly report on initial jobless claims.
Friday, April 25
Markets in Australia and New Zealand will be closed for the Anzac Day holiday. Japan is to release data on consumer inflation. The U.K. is to produce data on retail sales. The U.S. is to round up the week with revised data on consumer sentiment.