Highlights
In Taiwan's CPI data due at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT), consumer inflation in March is expected to ease to 2.50 percent from 3.08 percent in February, when it accelerated from January's 1.79 percent due to the lunar new year holidays celebrated in some parts of Asia.
In the US, the small business optimism index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has been below the historical average of 98 since January 2022. March's consensus is 89.9, up from 89.4 in February.
Producer inflation in Japan is expected to accelerate further to 0.8 percent in March after rising to 0.6 percent in February from the recent low of 0.2 percent seen in the previous two months as the base-year effect of utility subsidies that began in early 2023 had waned. But the downward pressure is still coming from utilities, which fell more than 20 percent in February, and the prices for lumber, steel and chemicals also remain below year-earlier levels. The taming effects of these items are partly offset by higher energy and transportation costs amid the conflict in the Middle East and the yen's weakness. On the Month, the corporate goods price index (CGPI) is forecast to rise 0.4 percent following a 0.2 percent gain.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has been keeping policy steady even though inflation has remained stubbornly high, at 4.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Consensus for April's meeting is once again no change for the policy rate at 5.50 percent. The RBNZ will release its decision at 2 p.m. in Wellington on Wednesday, which is 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday (0200 GMT Wednesday).
In the US, the small business optimism index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has been below the historical average of 98 since January 2022. March's consensus is 89.9, up from 89.4 in February.
Producer inflation in Japan is expected to accelerate further to 0.8 percent in March after rising to 0.6 percent in February from the recent low of 0.2 percent seen in the previous two months as the base-year effect of utility subsidies that began in early 2023 had waned. But the downward pressure is still coming from utilities, which fell more than 20 percent in February, and the prices for lumber, steel and chemicals also remain below year-earlier levels. The taming effects of these items are partly offset by higher energy and transportation costs amid the conflict in the Middle East and the yen's weakness. On the Month, the corporate goods price index (CGPI) is forecast to rise 0.4 percent following a 0.2 percent gain.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has been keeping policy steady even though inflation has remained stubbornly high, at 4.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Consensus for April's meeting is once again no change for the policy rate at 5.50 percent. The RBNZ will release its decision at 2 p.m. in Wellington on Wednesday, which is 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday (0200 GMT Wednesday).
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.
