*Several European Central Bank officials deliver speeches, Hong Kong releases retail sales*
Regarding important economic events around the world, on Friday at 3:30pm Hong Kong time, European Central Bank Vice President Vujčić, ECB Governing Council members Reijn, Slippens, and European Systemic Risk Board Chair Buch will deliver speeches at the Annual Meeting of the European Systemic Risk Board; at the same time, ECB Executive Board member Cipollone will deliver a keynote speech at the 10th Mediterranean Central Bank Conference. At 10:00pm, Dallas Fed President Logan will deliver welcoming remarks at the Fifth Symposium on the Macroeconomic Impact of Immigration.
On the data front, on Thursday (1st) at 7:00am (Hong Kong time, same below), Australia will release the September Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index. At 9:30am, Australia will release August exports; August imports; the August trade balance is expected to rise from A$1.92 billion to A$2 billion. At 4:30pm, the UK will release the September Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, expected to rise from 51.7 to 52. At 5:00pm, the Eurozone will release the August unemployment rate, expected to remain at 6.4%. At 8:30pm, the US will release the continuing claims for unemployment benefits, expected to rise from 1.719 million to 1.725 million; initial claims for unemployment benefits are expected to rise from 197,000 to 200,000. At 9:45pm, the US will release the September Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, expected to rise from 53.9 to 57. At 10:00pm, the US will release the September ISM Manufacturing Index, expected to rise from 54.6 to 54.9.
On Friday at 7:30am, Japan will release the August unemployment rate, expected to remain at 2.4%. At 4:30pm, Hong Kong will release August retail sales, with the year-on-year increase expected to narrow from 4.5% to 4.2%. At 5:00pm, the Eurozone will release the September Consumer Price Index, with the month-on-month increase expected to expand from 0.4% to 0.5%, and the year-on-year increase expected to expand from 3.2% to 3.7%. At 8:30pm, the US will release the September unemployment rate, expected to remain at 4.1%. At 10:00pm, the US will release August factory orders, expected to decline from 0.9% to 0.1%. (wa)