Here are some of the important economic data that will be the focus of the market throughout this week.
TUESDAY (April 29, 2025)
JOLTS Employment Data (10.00 PM) – The market will assess the number of job openings in the US in March. The latest forecast number is decreasing after the previous month's reading missed the target.
WEDNESDAY (April 30, 2025)
Australian Inflation Data (9.30 AM) – Inflation figures in Australia are expected to decline slowly after an increase at the end of 2025 that met expectations. From the previous level of 2.4%, the Australian annual inflation reading for March is expected to decline slightly to 2.3%.
China Manufacturing & Services PMI (9.30 AM) – The Chinese economic sector is expected to slow with the pressure of the current tariff war. China's manufacturing reading risks falling below the 50-point mark, signaling a contraction in the key sector.
US ADP Employment Data (8.15 PM) – After a positive surge in February, the US private employment sector is expected to return to a slow increase in March at around 123,000.
Canadian GDP Data (8.30 PM) – Canada's monthly economic growth in February will be watched after a positive reading was recorded in the previous reading. However, the market does not expect a major change due to Canada facing the threat of tariffs for the beginning of 2025.
US GDP Data (8.30 PM) – With the tension of the tariff war threatening the US economy, the forecast for the US economic growth figure for the first quarter of 2025 is a slow 0.4%. This would show a significant difference compared to the last quarter of 2024 when the last reading was updated at 2.4%.
US Employment Cost Index (8.30 PM) – The market will also be looking at changes in payments for jobs by businesses or the government. This index that measures wage rates can be an indicator of consumer inflation.
US PCE Price Index Data (10.00 PM) – As one of the central bank's favorite indicators, this personal consumption expenditure index will also have an impact on the movement of the US dollar currency. The forecast for the March reading is lower at 0.1% compared to 0.4% the previous month.
THURSDAY (May 1, 2025)
BOJ Policy Meeting (Asian Session) – The market expects the Bank of Japan to keep interest rates unchanged at 0.50% at its latest meeting this week. The follow-up statement by Governor Kazuo Ueda will be a key point on the direction of the yen in the market after this.
FRIDAY (May 2, 2025)
US NFP Employment Data (8.30 PM) – The NFP report for March will provide an important picture of the labor sector in the US. Job growth is expected to be low at 129,000 compared to 228,000 recorded the previous month. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 4.2% after increasing previously.
