Highlights
In the UK, the ILO unemployment rate for the three months to February is expected to hold at 3.8 percent which in January's report was 2 tenths tighter than expected. Average earnings growth for the three months to February is seen edging 1 tenth lower to a still overheated 5.7 percent from 5.8 percent and 6.7 percent in the two prior reports.
Among US data, the small business optimism index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is forecast at 89.9 for February, unchanged in January, when it fell 2.0 points from 91.9 in December, hitting an eight-month low. The index has been below its 50-year average of 98 since January 2022 amid elevated costs.
Before US markets open, India releases two pieces of data at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT).
Consumer inflation in India is expected to show further easing, but only marginally, to 5.00 percent in February after moderating to 5.10 percent in January from 5.69 percent in December, mainly due to a slower increase in food and beverage prices. The CPI annual rate is moving closer to the mid-point of the Reserve Bank of India's target range of 2.0 percent to 6.0 percent.
Industrial production in India is forecast to rise 4.0 percent on the year in January, with the pace of increase accelerating further after rising to 3.8 percent in December from 2.4 percent in November.
US consumer prices have come in on the high end of Econoday's consensus ranges the past two reports with February's outlook mixed. Core prices in February are expected to slow a notch to a monthly increase of 0.3 percent versus 0.4 percent in January. Overall prices are expected to rise 0.4 percent after increasing 0.3 percent in January. Annual rates, which in January were 3.1 percent overall and 3.9 percent for the core, are expected at 3.1 and 3.7 percent respectively.
Among US data, the small business optimism index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is forecast at 89.9 for February, unchanged in January, when it fell 2.0 points from 91.9 in December, hitting an eight-month low. The index has been below its 50-year average of 98 since January 2022 amid elevated costs.
Before US markets open, India releases two pieces of data at 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT).
Consumer inflation in India is expected to show further easing, but only marginally, to 5.00 percent in February after moderating to 5.10 percent in January from 5.69 percent in December, mainly due to a slower increase in food and beverage prices. The CPI annual rate is moving closer to the mid-point of the Reserve Bank of India's target range of 2.0 percent to 6.0 percent.
Industrial production in India is forecast to rise 4.0 percent on the year in January, with the pace of increase accelerating further after rising to 3.8 percent in December from 2.4 percent in November.
US consumer prices have come in on the high end of Econoday's consensus ranges the past two reports with February's outlook mixed. Core prices in February are expected to slow a notch to a monthly increase of 0.3 percent versus 0.4 percent in January. Overall prices are expected to rise 0.4 percent after increasing 0.3 percent in January. Annual rates, which in January were 3.1 percent overall and 3.9 percent for the core, are expected at 3.1 and 3.7 percent respectively.
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.
