The German economy will be in the spotlight again on Thursday. German GfK Consumer Climate numbers could signal consumer spending trends.
With rising bets on a June ECB interest rate cut, ECB commentary and the ECB reports also need consideration.
ECB President Christine Lagarde is on the calendar to speak on Monday. ECB Executive Board members Edouard Fernandez-Bollo (Tues), Piero Cipollone (Wed), Anneli Tuominen (Wed), Elizabeth McCaul (Wed), Isabel Schnabel (Wed/Thurs), and Luis de Guindos (Fri) will also deliver speeches.
The ECB will release the Economic Bulletin and Consumer Expectations Survey Results on Thursday and Friday.
The Pound
On Tuesday, UK private sector PMIs will put the Pound in focus. The Services PMI will impact the Pound more, accounting for over 70% of the UK economy. After mixed signals from the Bank of England vis-à-vis interest rate cuts, investors should consider the subcomponents, including prices.
Beyond the numbers, Bank of England speeches also need monitoring. Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Jonathan Haskel is on the calendar to speak on Tuesday.
The Loonie
On Monday, housing sector data will put the Loonie in focus. House price trends influence consumer sentiment and spending. Weaker-than-expected figures could signal a pullback in consumer spending and a softer inflation outlook.
Retail sales figures for February also need consideration on Wednesday. Consumer spending trends influence demand-driven inflation and the Bank of Canada interest rate trajectory.
The Australian Dollar
On Monday, Australian inflation numbers for the first quarter will put the Aussie dollar and the RBA in focus. Hotter-than-expected inflation figures could further delay RBA plans to cut interest rates.
Producer prices will also warrant investor attention on Friday. Producers increase prices in a higher-demand environment, passing costs onto consumers.
From elsewhere, economic indicators from China and stimulus chatter from Beijing could also move the dial.
The Kiwi Dollar
There are no economic indicators from New Zealand to influence buyer appetite for the Kiwi dollar.
However, investors should consider economic indicators from China and policy measures to support the Chinese economy.
The Japanese Yen
On Monday, preliminary private sector PMIs for April could influence the Japanese Yen and the Bank of Japan. The Services PMI will likely impact the Japanese Yen more, with the BoJ eyeing the services sector as a contributor to demand-driven inflation.
Inflation figures for Tokyo will warrant investor attention on Friday. Softer-than-expected numbers could enable the BoJ to leave interest rates at zero for longer.
However, the Bank of Japan monetary policy decision and press conference (Fri) will be the focal point. Forward guidance on plans to exit a zero-interest rate environment will influence buyer appetite for the Japanese Yen. Investors should also monitor intervention chatter.
Out of China
On Monday, the PBoC will set the one-year and five-year loan prime rates. Economists expect the PBoC to leave loan prime rates unchanged. A surprise cut to loan prime rates could fuel buyer demand for commodity currencies, including the Aussie dollar, the Kiwi dollar, and the Loonie.
