- Japanese Upper House Elections: Sunday. The ruling LDP party led by PM Shinzo Abe controls the lower house but not the upper one. It is now expected to win a majority also there, and have more powers to make economic reforms. A victory could provide a “shot in the Abenomics arm” and boost USD/JPY. However, there could be too much of a good thing, and a landslide victory with more than simple majority could enable Japan to change its constitution and boost its military – something that would not necessarily be positive. So, a simple majority would be best for USD/JPY.
- US Existing Home Sales: Monday, 14:00. The annualized number of existing homes sold in May, edged up 2% to 5.18 million from 4.97 million in April. However the number of available houses is lower than the actual demand, causing price growth. Analysts expected a smaller rise of 5.01 million. Existing home sales are expected to improve further reaching 5.27 million. Recent building permits and housing starts numbers disappointed.
- Chinese HSBC Flash Manufacturing PMI: Wednesday, 1:45 GMT. This key early and external figure for the economic giant is critical for the Australian dollar and also for the whole world. A strong showing will boost the “risk on” mood while a weak one would trigger worries and boost the dollar and the yen. After a reading of 48.2 last month, a rise to 48.6 points is expected now, still in contraction zone (under 50 points).
- US New Home Sales: Wednesday, 14:00. Sales of new single-family homes edged up to their highest level in nearly five years in May, reaching 476,000 units after a 466,000-unit rate in the previous month, indicating the housing market is strong. Analysts expected a smaller gain of 462,000 units. However the shortage in houses raises pressure on prices, rising 0.3% from a year ago. New home sales are expected to advance to 482,000 this time.
- New Zealand Rate decision: Wednesday, 21:00. The central bank plans to maintain borrowing costs at a record low this year to keep the kiwi subdued. The bank cut its growth forecast for the year through March 2014 to 3 % from 3.3 %, and left its projection for the following year at 2.8 %. No change is rates is expected now. The Chinese move regarding the lending floor gave a boost to NZD/USD.
- German Ifo Business Climate: Thursday, 8:00. German business confidence rose for a second month in June reaching 105.9 from 105.7 in May, due to encouraging signs of growth in Europe’s largest economy. The Bundesbank projected a significant acceleration in economic activity over the second quarter, but warned about downside risks from the slowdown in the Chinese economy. Another rise to 106.3 is anticipated this time.
- UK GDP: Thursday, 8:30. The data for first quarter showed an expansion rate of 0.3% compared to the previous period and 0.6% rise from a year ago. The improvement was achieved mainly due to a 0.6% quarterly advance in services. Furthermore, the avoidance of a triple-dip recession might have some positive psychological value for UK financial markets. An expansion rate of 0.6% is forecast now. Such a strong expansion will certainly limit the scope for QE.
- US Durable Goods Orders: Thursday, 12:30. Orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods increased more than expected in May, rising 3.6 % following a 3.5% climb in the previous month. Meanwhile Core durable orders, excluding transportation increased 0.7 % after advancing 1.7 % in April. These figures supported by earlier data indicate a pick-up in US economic activity. Durable goods orders are expected to leap 1.1%, while Core orders are predicted to advance 0.5%.
- US Unemployment Claims: Thursday, 12:30. Initial jobless claims fell 24,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 334,000, indicating hiring is strengthening. The four-week average, dropped 5,250 to 351,000. The labor market condition is improving despite volatility in July. Employers added an average of 202,000 jobs a month through the first six months of the year, up from an average of 180,000 in the previous six months. A small rise to 339,000 is anticipated now.