Guide to today’s important data and events

Economic dockets are less today, with low risk associated.

Data released so far -

• Australia - Westpac leading index dropped by -0.3% in March compared to 0.1% growth prior. Consumer price index grew at slower pace of 1.3% y/y in 1^st quarter whereas RBA's trimmed mean CPI grew faster at 2.3% y/y in 1^st quarter.

• China - CB leading economic index dropped to 0.2 in March from 1.4 prior.

Upcoming -

• Italy - Industrial orders to be released at 8:00 GMT followed by retail sales at 9:00 GMT.

• UK - BOE will release minutes of meeting around 8:30 GMT. Very vital for pound. Vote change to hawkish or dovish could result in extreme move.

• Switzerland - Zew survey expectation would be announced at 9:00 GMT.

• Portugal - Current account balance to be released at 10:00 GMT.

• Euro zone - Consumer confidence to be released at 14:00 GMT.

• US - MBA mortgage application to be released at 11:00 GMT, followed by house price index at 13:00 GMT and existing home sales at 14:00 GMT.

• Japan - Trade balance statistics to be published at 23:50 GMT.

• Auction - Japan will release foreign investment statistics in Japanese bonds and stocks around 23:50 GMT.