ECONOMIC DIARY MARCH 20 - 24

THIS week investor’s attention will be on the publication of the inflation rate and balance of trade numbers for February of various countries. The weekly crude oil stocks of the US also became important.

Most developed economies will also publish their latest retail sales, home sales and manufacturing and services Purchasers Managers Indices.

Domestically South Africa’s latest inflation figure will be released and the Reserve Bank will publish its Quarterly bulletin for March 2017.

Domestically

Wednesday, March 22: StatsSA will announce the latest inflation rate for February 2017. The South African Reserve bank will release its quarterly bulletin for Q1 2017. The important figure will be the current account balance at the end of the fourth quarter 2016.

Globally

Today: Germany: PPI – February; EU: Labour cost index and wage growth: Q4 2016; Russia: Retail sales and unemployment rate – February.

Tomorrow: UK: Inflation rate – February, Retail price index – February.

Wednesday, March 22: Japan: Balance of trade – February and BOJ meeting minutes; EU: Current account – January; UK: BOE meeting.

Thursday, March 23: Germany: Consumer confidence index: April; UK: Retail sales: February; US: Initial and continuing jobless claims – March 18; EU: ECB council meeting and Consumer confidence index – March.

Friday, March 24: Germany and the EU: Manufacturing, Services and Composite PMIs.