STORY: From key US inflation indicators to a potential UK interest rate cut, the next week will feature notable news from the business and financial world.
:: US inflation
U.S. inflation data to be released on May 15 is expected to show that consumer prices slowed last month after beating expectations for three consecutive months.
Economists polled by Reuters expect the consumer price index to rise 0.3% in April.
However, further evidence of persistent inflation could dash hopes of near-term rate cuts and reignite market volatility.
:: Japanese economy
First-quarter growth figures to be released on Thursday will reveal whether Japan’s economy started 2024 on a strong footing.
However, with interest rates around the world at multi-decade highs and rising import costs putting further pressure on household budgets, the Bank of Japan’s intention to maintain accommodative monetary policy for the time being eases pressure on the yen. Unlikely.
:: China’s real estate sector
April house price statistics, to be released on May 17, will be the next barometer of the health of China’s struggling real estate sector.
The announcement, along with figures on China’s retail sales and urban unemployment rate to be released on the same day, comes after May Day spending figures were disappointing.
:: UK labor market
The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates this year as inflation eases, but remains wary of rising wages, which would put upward pressure on prices, ahead of new labor market data due on May 14.
Traders believe interest rates are likely to fall in June.
But the central bank may need more time and data to be confident that Britain has broken out of the wage and price spiral.
