Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Kazakhstan Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 18% as Inflation Pressures Persist 
BOJ’s Noguchi Calls for Cautious, Gradual Interest Rate Hikes to Sustain Inflation Goals 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Bank of Korea Holds Interest Rates Steady as Weak Won Limits Policy Flexibility 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
New RBNZ Governor Anna Breman Aims to Restore Stability After Tumultuous Years 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Indonesia Aims to Strengthen Rupiah as Central Bank Targets 16,400–16,500 Level 
This week is relatively less risk heavy compared to last week. Nevertheless, a fresh batch of data from the United Kingdom should keep the drums beating.
What to watch for over the coming days:
- U.S. economic data:
After a disappointing August so far, in terms of economic dockets, traders would focus on the next batch to determine how broad-based the weakness has been. Focus will remain on retail sales data on Thursday and CPI inflation data on Friday.
- UK economic data:
While data have been disappointing for the U.S., they have been quite upbeat for the United Kingdom. All the PMIs have surprised to the upside. So, the focus is clearly on the next batch. Inflation data on Tuesday, unemployment report on Wednesday, and retail sales on Thursday.
- Central banks:
Swiss National Bank and the Bank of England (BoE) will announce policy decisions on Thursday. No moves are expected from either of them but commentaries would be noteworthy. Two prominent Fed speakers are scheduled to speak on Monday and it is a must watch before next week’s FOMC rate decision. Atlanta Fed president Dennis Lockhart and Lael Brainard from Federal Reserve board of Governors.
In addition to the above, unscheduled Brexit commentaries would keep weighing on the market.
