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4 Key Economic Events to Watch This Week

Published 2015-08-16, 09:54 a/m
© Reuters.  Investors hope Fed minutes will provide clues on timing of rate lift-off

1. Federal Reserve Minutes

The Fed is to release minutes from its July 28-29 meeting on Wednesday, which investors are hoping will provide more clarity on its plans to hike short-term interest rates for the first time since 2006, after recent economic reports indicated that the economic recovery is on track.

2. Japan GDP data

Japan is to release what will be closely watched preliminary figures on second quarter economic growth on Monday.

The consensus forecast is that the data will show that the world’s third-largest economy contracted 0.5% in the three months to June after a first quarter expansion of 1.0%. A weak reading could spur expectations for fresh stimulus measures from the Bank of Japan.

3. Chinese manufacturing data

China is to release preliminary data on manufacturing activity on Friday.

The Chinese government decided this week to devalue the yuan after a recent string of data pointed to slowing industrial and economic growth in the world’s second-largest economy. The decision sparked fears of a "currency war" and roiled global financial markets.

Uncertainty over the impact of the devaluation on global inflation expectation have also sparked fears that the Fed could keep rates on hold for longer.

4. Euro zone PMIs

The euro zone is to release preliminary data on manufacturing and service sector activity on Friday.

Last Friday, data showed that economic growth in the single currency bloc slowed in the second quarter as the uncertain global outlook weighed, one day after the European Central Bank warned that volatility in Chinese markets may have more impact than expected on the euro zone.

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