Guide to today’s important data and events

Risks are high across board today. Focus is on ECB and BOC monetary policy.

Data released so far -

• Australia - Westpac consumer confidence dropped -3.2% in April, lowest level this year.

• China - GDP growth slowed to 1.3% on a quarterly basis down from prior 1.5%. Growth dropped to 7% on a yearly basis.

• Germany - Consumer price index for March rose 0.5% m/m and 0.3% yearly basis.

• France - Consumer price index rose 0.7% in March m/m, however flat on a yearly basis.

• Japan - Industrial production dropped by -3.1% m/m in February and -2% y/y.

Upcoming -

• Euro zone - Trade balance statistics to be released at 9:00 GMT. ECB will announce monetary policy decisions at 11:45 GMT, followed by press conference at 12:30 GMT.
  
  
• UK - CB leading economic index to be released at 13:30 GMT, followed by RICS house price balance around 23:00 GMT.

• US - Lot many medium risk economic dockets to be released today. MBA mortgage application at 11:00 GMT, followed by Empire state manufacturing index at 12:30 GMT and Industrial production details at 13:15 GMT. NAHB house market index will be released at 14:00 GMT. FED will release Beige book at 18:00 GMT.

• Canada - BOC will announce monetary policy decisions at 14:00 GMT, followed by monetary policy report at 15:00 GMT and press conference at 16:15 GMT.

• New Zealand - Business PMI to be released at 22:30 GMT.

• Auctions - Germany will hold 10 year bund auctions today.