Highlights
In the UK, the ILO unemployment rate for the three months to January is expected to edge higher to 3.8 from 3.7 percent in the prior three reports.
The US small business optimism index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business has been below the historical average of 98 for 13 months in a row. February's consensus is 90.3 which would match January.
Ahead of the next meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on March 21-22, the US inflation data is expected to show prices remain high. Core consumer prices in February are forecast to hold steady at an elevated 0.4 percent monthly gain, with overall prices also expected to rise 0.4 percent after January's 0.5 percent rise. Annual rates, which in January were 6.4 percent overall and 5.6 percent for the core, are expected at 6.0 and 5.5 percent.
Canada's manufacturing sales are expected to rise 3.9 percent on the month in January after falling 1.5 percent in December.
In China, fixed asset investment in the combined months of January and February is expected to rise 4.5 percent. This would compare with 5.1 percent growth in December.
Year-over-year growth in Chinese industrial production is expected to accelerate to 2.6 percent in the combined months of January and February versus growth of 1.3 percent in December.
Retail sales are forecast to post a 3.5 percent rebound on the year in the January and February combined period after falling 1.8 percent in December, when consumers were still cautious amid a spike in new Covid cases after the Chinese government eased its strict public health rules in early December.
The US small business optimism index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business has been below the historical average of 98 for 13 months in a row. February's consensus is 90.3 which would match January.
Ahead of the next meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on March 21-22, the US inflation data is expected to show prices remain high. Core consumer prices in February are forecast to hold steady at an elevated 0.4 percent monthly gain, with overall prices also expected to rise 0.4 percent after January's 0.5 percent rise. Annual rates, which in January were 6.4 percent overall and 5.6 percent for the core, are expected at 6.0 and 5.5 percent.
Canada's manufacturing sales are expected to rise 3.9 percent on the month in January after falling 1.5 percent in December.
In China, fixed asset investment in the combined months of January and February is expected to rise 4.5 percent. This would compare with 5.1 percent growth in December.
Year-over-year growth in Chinese industrial production is expected to accelerate to 2.6 percent in the combined months of January and February versus growth of 1.3 percent in December.
Retail sales are forecast to post a 3.5 percent rebound on the year in the January and February combined period after falling 1.8 percent in December, when consumers were still cautious amid a spike in new Covid cases after the Chinese government eased its strict public health rules in early December.
Definition
Market Focus details key factors in the coming day that will impact the economic outlook and the financial markets. These include central bank events, economic indicators, policymaker speeches as well as expected political and corporate developments.
Description
Keeping up-to-date with event schedules and the economic calendar is key to understanding the global financial system. Econoday's Market Focus allows investors and policymakers to carefully track what will be making news and moving the financial markets in the coming day.
