Fundamentals to watch out for this week

In terms of volatility risks, this week is extremely heavy with the focus on Brexit, key economic data, trade talks, and central bankers,

What to watch for over the coming days:

Central Banks:

• Reserve Bank of Australia will announce the rate decision on Tuesday, early morning. No change expected with rates at 150 bps.
• Bank of Canada (BoC) will announce the rate decision on Wednesday.
• European Central Bank (ECB) will announce the rate decision on Thursday.

Economic data:

• Global services PMI reports on Tuesday; China, EU, UK, U.S.
• China forex reserve and trade balance data due this week.
• Swiss inflation numbers on Tuesday.
• Australia Q4 GDP numbers on Wednesday.
• U.S. Trade balance, ADP employment reports due on Wednesday; Q4 GDP report on Thursday, and NFP report on Friday.  
• Eurozone Q4 GDP report due on Thursday.

Geopolitics:

• U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold a closed-door hearing on the status of the Magnistky Act investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Monday.
• China's annual People's Political Consultative Conference and National People's Congress begin on Tuesday; will proceed through the week.

Brexit:

• Negotiations over Irish backstop that could bind the United Kingdom in a Customs Union with the European Union, will continue through the week. British attorney-general will lead the negotiations with EU’s chief negotiator Michael Bernier. The result of this week would pave the way for voting on the revised agreement next week.