The week ahead is set to be less eventful compared to the previous one, at least in terms of scheduled data and developments.
Japan-US talks
With optimism growing that the United States and China are on the verge of securing trade deal, Japan gets ready to launch its own negotiations with the Trump administration from Monday on.
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will be meeting with Japan’s Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for at least two days of talks in Washington to resolve their difference over trade surplus and potential tariffs.
In the meantime, China and the US will resume talks at mid-level diplomacy.
China GDP
China is releasing new figures on its economic growth. The world’s number two economy’s industrial production will also be followed on Tuesday amid the yet-to-be-resolved trade war between Beijing and Washington.
Expectations, are less than the 1.5 percent quarter-on-quarter and 6.4 percent year-on-year growth recorded in the last quarter.
US data
In the US, investors will be watching core retail Sales, Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing index, retail sales, and homebuilder confidence.
Voting members of US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee, Chicago Fed president Charles Evans, St Louis Fed president James Bullard and presidents of other regional Feds speak about the monetary policy that has come under stricter scrutiny and criticism from the White House.
Corporate earnings
At least 50 US companies led by banks and tech giants, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Netflix, PepsiCo and IBM will release their earnings.
Keep an eye on:
One of the world’s largest democracies, Indonesia is set to elect its president on Wednesday whereas in Turkey, cautious markets will await a final decision regarding results of the much-contested elections two weeks ago, particularly in Istanbul as President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party prepares to demand a renewal in the country’s commercial hub.
The unfolding conflict threatening Libya’s capital Tripoli and developments surrounding the political situation Venezuela will remain in the focus for oil and gold investors.
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Tuesday
UK Average Earnings Index, Claimant Count Change, German ZEW Economic Sentiment, China Industrial Production, GDP
Wednesday
UK CPI, BoE Governor Mark Carney Speaks, Eurozone CPI, Canada Core CPI, US Crude Oil Inventories
Thursday
German Manufacturing PMI, UK Retail Sales, US Core Retail Sales, Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index, Retail Sales,
Canada Core Retail Sales
Friday
Good Friday holiday across Europe and Americas
