Investing.com - Here’s a preview of the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow
1. U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) To Show Inflation Remains Subdued?
U.S. inflation data as measured by the consumer price index (cpi) is expected to show inflation remained subdued in February, further dampening expectations for a faster pace of rate hikes in 2018.
Analysts expect year-on-year inflation remained unchanged at 1.8% in February.
Expectations for sluggish U.S. consumer prices growth come amid recent data showing wage growth slowed in February despite U.S. labor market tightening after the economy created 313,000 jobs in February.
Second-tier economic data in the form of NFIB Small Business Optimism for February is forecast to show an improved reading of 107.1 from the previous reading of 106.9.
The dollar started the week on the back foot against a basket of major currencies as investors continued to fear the prospect of a trade war would negatively impact the U.S. economy.
2. U.S. crude oil stockpiles to show third straight weekly build?
Traders look ahead to a fresh batch of crude oil inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute due Tuesday.
The American Petroleum Institute reported crude oil stockpiles rose by 5.661 million barrels for the week ended March 2. That differed significantly from the Energy Information Administration weekly reported - released a day later – showing crude supplies rose by about 2.4 million barrels last week.
Crude oil futures made a poor start to the week settling at $61.36 a barrel, down 1.10% amid fears over ramp up in U.S. output. The EIA said Tuesday it expects U.S. shale output to climb by 131,000 barrels a day in April to 6.954 million barrels a day.
3. UK Spring Statement To Unveil Budget Plans For Post-Brexit Britain
Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to unveil the smallest UK budget deficit in nearly 16 years, when he presents his spring statement on Tuesday 07.30 a.m. ET.
The UK economy grew 1.7% in 2017, above the UK Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast of 1.5% growth released during the chancellor’s November budget statement. The OBR is expected to upgrade its forecasts for economic growth Tuesday.
Investors are also expected to closely scrutinize the chancellor’s plans for UK public spending in the post-Brexit era.
GBP/USD rose 0.39% to $1.3908.