Key economic data from Asia and monetary policy announcements from the major central banks will keep economists on their toes this week.
SA inflation figures, indicators of growth in Europe and China, US corporate earnings reports and elections in Japan will make for a busy week.
The SA Reserve Bank will announce its latest rates decision. No change is expected as policymakers balance inflation risks against growth concerns.
This week will bring a possible clarification of the US Federal Reserve Bank’s policy intentions, as well as key economic data from China.
This week began with manufacturing data from China and will end with jobs figures from the United States.
Uncertainty and volatility have been rising recently and are likely to remain the dominant themes in global markets this week.
The US Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting will set the tone for global markets this week as leaders of the G8 gather for a summit in Ireland.
Manufacturing trade numbers will lead South Africa’s data calendar, while retail sales numbers in the US will set the tone for global markets.
As equity markets in the East and West faltered and bond yields in the US climbed, emerging market currencies, particularly the rand, got trounced.
A series of growth updates and other economic indicators from the US, Japan and South Africa will set the tone this week.