Guide to today’s important data and events

Lot of economic dockets are scheduled for release today, however risks associated are low.

Data released so far -

• Australia - Employment rate remained same at 6.2% in April, with overall employment dropping 2900.

• Japan - Markit services PMI moved to expansionary zone registering 51.3, up from 48.4 prior.

Upcoming -

• Switzerland - Consumer climate for first quarter is scheduled for 5:45 GMT. Swiss National bank will announce Forex reserve details at 7:00 GMT. It is an indicator of SNB's intervention in EUR/CHF market.
  
• Germany - Factory orders for March to be released at 6:00 GMT. Expectation is orders to have grown 1.5% m/m in March.
  
  
• France - Trade balance statistics along with Industrial output would be released at 6:00 GMT for the month of March.
  
  
• UK - Today is tentative release date for Halifax house price index. Major focus is today's parliamentary election in UK.
  
  
• Canada - Building permits details are scheduled for release at 12:30 GMT. Prior -0.9% in February, expected to grow 2.5% in March.
  
  
• US - Initial jobless claims statistics scheduled for 12:30 GMT, followed by changes in consumer credit at 19:00 GMT. Weekly EIA natural gas inventory report will be released at 14:30 GMT.
  
  
• Japan - Bank of Japan (BOJ) will release monetary policy minutes at 23:50 GMT.
  
  
• Auctions - Spain will hold 2 year and 10 year bond auctions today.