Headline: Markets Set for Data-Heavy Week as Inflation, Central Banks and PMIs Take Center Stage
Global markets face a pivotal week with inflation reports, central bank minutes and flash PMIs steering expectations for interest rates and growth. Investors will parse updates from Canada, the US, the UK, the euro area, China and Japan, alongside closely watched corporate earnings in the AI space, to gauge the path for monetary policy, currencies and risk assets.
North America is in focus early with Canada’s October CPI expected to ease on softer energy costs, reinforcing the Bank of Canada’s wait-and-see stance near its estimated neutral range. The Federal Reserve’s October FOMC Minutes should reveal how divided policymakers were after their recent rate cut and how open they remain to further easing in December; markets have pared odds of another move as officials strike mixed tones. Midweek, Nvidia reports results that will test the durability of AI-driven demand, with data center momentum, guidance and chip supply a key read-through for tech, semiconductors and broader equity sentiment.
In Asia-Pacific, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s minutes are likely to underscore a patient approach after holding its cash rate at 3.60%, even as updated projections show stickier underlying inflation into 2026. China’s PBoC is widely expected to keep loan prime rates unchanged, conserving policy space while growth data remain mixed. Japan’s October CPI is seen firming, consistent with Tokyo’s earlier print, adding pressure on the Bank of Japan as wage gains and consumption trends evolve. Elsewhere, regional releases include New Zealand PPI, Australian flash PMIs and Japanese trade data.
Europe rounds out the week with UK CPI in sharp focus after a split vote at the Bank of England; a further cooling in headline inflation could tilt odds toward a December rate cut, while Friday’s retail sales and flash PMIs provide an update on demand and pricing. Eurozone flash PMIs should show services resilience and tentative stabilization in manufacturing, though hard data still flag a fragile backdrop. Additional highlights include German producer prices, euro area construction output, the region’s negotiated wage indicator, and flash PMIs across the UK, euro area and US. A delayed US jobs release for recent months remains possible but unconfirmed.
Key Points – Canada CPI: Softer energy expected to cool October inflation, supporting a steady Bank of Canada stance. – FOMC Minutes: Market-sensitive read on how split the Fed is after its latest cut and into December. – Nvidia earnings: AI demand, data center revenue and guidance in focus for semis and broader equities. – RBA Minutes and PBoC LPR: Australia stays patient; China likely keeps loan prime rates unchanged. – Japan CPI: Firmer October print could raise the stakes for BoJ normalization, though officials remain cautious. – UK and Eurozone: UK CPI and retail sales plus flash PMIs across the region to shape rate-cut expectations and growth outlook.
