Events to Look Out for Next Week

• Average Earnings (GBP, GMT 08:30) – Average Earnings excluding bonus are expected to have grown by 0.4% in June from 0.7%. The ILO unemployment rate is expected to be unchanged at 3.9%.
• Economic Sentiment (EUR, GMT 09:00) – German August ZEW economic sentiment is seen to have inclined at 62.4 compared to 59.3 in July.
• Producer Price Index (USD, GMT 12:30) – The headline CPI for PPI in July is expected with a 0.4% gain with a 0.1% core price increase. As expected readings would result in a rise for the y/y headline PPI metric to -0.7% from -0.8% in June. The y/y core reading is assumed to remain in the 0.2%-0.5% area over the near future, with the downward hit from reduced aggregate demand proving greater than the boost for prices from supply disruptions, though supply constraints for some sectors should prove increasingly important as we pass through Q3.

Wednesday – 12 August 2020

• Interest Rate Decision & Policy Report (NZD, GMT 02:00)  – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is widely expected to keep the OCR (Official Cash Rate) at the current record low 0.25%. The OCR is the means by which the RBNZ manages a dovish  monetary policy for the New Zealand economy, by lending overnight cash at 25 basis points above the OCR, and receiving deposits and paying interest at 25 basis points below the OCR. The bank expected to expand QE, when the Bank’s bimonthly monetary policy statement and press conference are also scheduled, since last time it stressed a willingness to take further stimulus measures if necessary while noting persisting downside risks to the economy, adding that currency strength remains a negative for NZ exporters.
• Gross Domestic Product (GBP, GMT 06:00) – GDP is the economy’s most important figure. The preliminary Q2 GDP is expected to slightly improved at -1.8% q/q however it remains contracted in a quarterly and yearly basis.
• Consumer Price Index (USD, GMT 12:30) – The headline CPI for July is expected at a 0.3% July and with a 0.1% core price rate, following June figures of 0.6% for the headline and 0.2% for the core. The headline will be boosted by an estimated 5% July increase for CPI gasoline prices. As-expected July figures would result in a headline y/y increase of 0.7%, up from 0.6% in June.

Thursday – 13 August 2020

• Employment Data (AUD, GMT 01:30) – Both the unemployment rate and the employment change are expected to have grown in July, at 7.8% m/m and 394.2K respectively.
• Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (EUR, GMT 06:00) – The German HICP inflation for July is anticipated flat.

Friday – 14 August 2020

• Retail Sales (CNY, GMT 02:00) – Following the -1.8% m/m contraction in China retail sales in June, they are expected to rise slightly by 0.3% in July.
• Gross Domestic Product (EUR, GMT 09:00) – The preliminary Q2 GDP s.a. is expected to remain contracted at -15.0%y/y and -12.1% q/, with national GDP rates varying pretty much along the lines of virus developments and depending and the extend of lockdown measures.  The key question for the future is  when the initial rebound will be, but if that can be sustained and broadened into a lasting recovery even when governments and ECB start to reign in their very generous support. The agreement on an EU wide stimulus package has helped to bolster confidence in the project, but it remains to be seen whether the package really is sufficient to strengthen long term growth in the Eurozone.
• Retail Sales (USD, GMT 12:30) – July increases of 1.0% for headline retail sales is expected and 0.8% for the ex-auto figure, following June increases of 7.5% for the headline and 7.3% ex-autos. We expect a 5% increase for the CPI gasoline index, and rising sales volume as well should allow a 5% service station sales rebound as well.  Real consumer spending is expected to contract at a rate of -33.2% in Q2 before an assumed 33% bounce in Q3.
• Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (USD, GMT 14:00) – The August preliminary Michigan sentiment reading is forecast at 79.0, from 72.5 in the final July reading.