Highlights
The ZEW monthly survey of financial experts in Germany is expected to show the index for the current economic conditions slipped back to minus 48.0 in March after rising to minus 45.1 in February from minus 58.6 in January. The economic sentiment (expectations) index is also seen falling to 20.0 after improving to 28.1 in February from 16.9 the previous month.
The Federal Open Market Committee begins its two-day meeting to discuss whether to continue raising interest rates to guide inflation lower or pause over a banking sector crisis. The Fed is largely expected to hike its policy rate by another 25 basis points after slowing its tightening pace in January.
Among US data, existing home sales in February are expected to rise to a 4.17 million annualized rate after January's lower-than-expected 4.0 million annualized rate.
Canada's consumer inflation has been easing gradually but remains well above the Bank of Canada's 2 percent target. The annual increases in the consumer price index for February is forecast to continue slowing to 5.4 percent from 5.9 percent in January, 6.3 percent in December and a recent peak of 8.1 percent in June 2022. The total CPI is expected to rise 0.5 percent on the month in February after rising at the same rate in January.
In its latest policy decision on March 8, the bank left its policy interest rate -- the target for overnight lending rates -- at 4.50 percent, as widely expected, but stressed that it is not lowering its guard against upside risks to inflationary pressures as labor market conditions remain very tight and consumer spending is resilient.
The Federal Open Market Committee begins its two-day meeting to discuss whether to continue raising interest rates to guide inflation lower or pause over a banking sector crisis. The Fed is largely expected to hike its policy rate by another 25 basis points after slowing its tightening pace in January.
Among US data, existing home sales in February are expected to rise to a 4.17 million annualized rate after January's lower-than-expected 4.0 million annualized rate.
Canada's consumer inflation has been easing gradually but remains well above the Bank of Canada's 2 percent target. The annual increases in the consumer price index for February is forecast to continue slowing to 5.4 percent from 5.9 percent in January, 6.3 percent in December and a recent peak of 8.1 percent in June 2022. The total CPI is expected to rise 0.5 percent on the month in February after rising at the same rate in January.
In its latest policy decision on March 8, the bank left its policy interest rate -- the target for overnight lending rates -- at 4.50 percent, as widely expected, but stressed that it is not lowering its guard against upside risks to inflationary pressures as labor market conditions remain very tight and consumer spending is resilient.
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.
