Asia
Markets in Asia-Pacific were mixed today after yesterday’s strong start to the working week. Still, daily losses in China and Japan were minor.
A variety of emerging market central banks, including Thailand and Indonesia, are expected to hold interest rates this week.
Japanese inflation figures are due at the end of the week.
Europe
News of a drop in UK unemployment to a 44-year low helped the pound, which had been boosted by the latest Brexit news. Inflation figures are due tomorrow, and the cost of living appears to be going in the right direction – ie. down – at least as far as the Bank of England is concerned.
The FTSE 100 pushed back above 7,300 in a benign global environment for equities.
Germany’s ZEW survey of economic expectations was better than expected but still suggests that negative sentiment prevails for the Eurozone’s largest economy.
North America
US stock futures markets suggest a rise at the open for the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
The Federal Reserve starts its two-day meeting today.
US weekly jobless claims are due on Thursday and Canadian inflation figures are also due on the same day. Canada’s consumer price index is expected to have risen by 1.4% in February year on year, the same rise seen in January.