In the week ahead trading volumes are expected to remain light, with many markets closed for the New Year’s holiday. Meanwhile, China is to release closely-watched data on manufacturing activity, while the U.S. is to publish reports on pending home sales, consumer confidence and jobless claims, as investors attempt to gauge the strength of the world’s two largest economies.
Monday, December 30
The U.S. is to release private sector data on pending home sales, a leading indicator of economic health.
Tuesday, December 31
Markets in Japan and Germany will remain closed for New Year’s Eve. Australia is to produce data on private sector credit. Meanwhile, the U.S. is to produce private sector data on consumer confidence and house price inflation, as well as a report on manufacturing activity in the Chicago region.
Wednesday, January 1
China is to publish government data on manufacturing activity, a leading indicator of economic health. Meanwhile, markets in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Switzerland, the U.K., Canada and the U.S. will remain closed for the New Year’s holiday.
Thursday, January 2
Markets in Japan and China will remain closed for a bank holiday. China is also due to release the final reading of its closely watched HSBC manufacturing PMI. The euro zone is to release revised data on its manufacturing PMI, while Spain and Italy are also to release individual reports, while the U.K. will also release its manufacturing PMI. Later in the day, the Institute of Supply Management is to release its manufacturing PMI, while the Labor Department is to release its weekly report on initial jobless claims. The U.S. is also to publish data on construction spending.
Friday, January 3
Markets in Japan will remain closed for a bank holiday. China is to produce official data on service sector activity. In the euro zone, Spain is to publish data on the change in the number of people employed. Switzerland is to publish the results of its SVME manufacturing PMI in addition to its KOF economic barometer. Meanwhile, the U.K. is to publish data on activity in the construction sector, a leading indicator of economic health, as well as a report on net lending to individuals. The U.S. is to round up the week with official data crude oil stockpiles and natural gas inventories.