Guide to today’s important data and events

Event and data risks are moderate today, Focus is on UK trade balance and BOE rate decision.

Data released so far -

• Germany - Industrial production grew 0.2% m/m in February from 0.6% prior. Trade balance improved marginally in February at €19.7 billion from prior €19.6 billion. Exports grew at 1.5% and import at faster rate of 1.8%.

• Japan - Machine tools order grew 14.6% y/y in March compared to 28.9% in February.

• UK - Halifax house prices grew 0.4% m/m compared to prior drop of -0.3%.

Upcoming -

• UK - Trade balance statistics will be released at 8:30 GMT, followed by BOE rate decision 11:00 GMT.

• Greece - Greece will be releasing three vital statistics. Industrial production, Consumer price index and unemployment rate around 9:00 GMT. Greece is also required to pay € 450 million to IMF today.

• Portugal - Trade balance statistics to be released around 12:00 GMT.

• US - Initial Jobless claims to be released at 12:30 GMT, followed by wholesale inventories at 14:00 GMT.

• Canada - House price index and building permits data to be released at 12:30 GMT.

• Australia - AIG performance of construction statistics will be released at 23:30 GMT.

• Auctions - Spain will be auctioning 2 and 10 year bond. US will auction 30 year bond around 17:00 GMT.