In the absence of significant economic data this week investors deliberated on Fed Chair Jay Powell’s recent comments over the weekend.

Significant news came out of the Eurozone this week in the form of GDP growth figures.

Following Japan’s core CPI coming in for December at 2.3% – in line with market expectations and above their 2% target – the Bank of Japan revealed on Tuesday that it would be leaving interest rates unchanged for the time being.

Suggesting a relative softening in the UK labour market over the recent period, both wage growth and vacancies were reported to have fallen in the latter part of 2023.

This week has seen some important data come out of the Eurozone that will give the European Central Bank (ECB) food for thought. 

Markets cooled slightly at the start of the short trading week following a strong end to 2023, with a raft of PMI data from major global regions then giving investors food for thought as they push on into the new trading year.

On Tuesday, the most recent inflation data for Europe revealed a decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2.4% on year in November 2023, down from October’s 2.9%, aligning with expectations.

In the US, despite expectations of a flat reading, the latest CPI report showed prices rose by 0.1% in November 2023 from the previous month, as the cost of rents offset steep falls in gasoline.

The markets are experiencing a period of calm this week, following a month of strong performance in November.
Upon initial inspection, reports of US factory orders came in at a disappointing level, a survey showed on Monday.

The week opened quietly as investors await major economic data due from both the eurozone and the US this Thursday.