Week Ahead – Economic Indicators (Europe)

For the July 6th week, here is a list of all of the major economic indicators being released during the EU Session, with a brief synopsis of what they represent and what to possibly expect from the markets in reaction.

Monday
German Industrial Orders
Manufacturers’ orders are a leading indicator for industrial production. The figures are calculated every month by the Federal Statistical Office and represent the value of all orders for the delivery of self-made products confirmed by industrial enterprises with 50 or more employees in the respective reporting period. The results are broken down by both sector and region of origin (domestic and foreign split into euro area and non-euro area). Monthly volatility can be very high, so moving averages give a much better guide to underlying trends.
What to Expect
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.

Tuesday
German Industrial Production
German industrial production measures the total output of factories, mines, and utilities in Germany. It shows how much goods and materials Germany’s industrial sector is producing and is an important indicator of the country’s economic health.
What to Expect
If German industrial production comes in above the forecast, it signals stronger economic activity and is likely positive for the euro and European markets; if it falls short, it may raise concerns about growth and weigh on sentiment.

Thursday
ECB Meeting Minutes
The ECB meeting minutes, officially called the accounts of the monetary policy meeting, summarize the discussions and decisions made by the European Central Bank’s Governing Council on interest rates, inflation, and the economy. They are usually published about four weeks after each meeting and provide insight into the ECB’s thinking and future policy direction.

Friday
French and German CPI
The consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of the average price level of a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by consumers. Monthly and annual changes in the CPI represent the main rates of inflation. The national CPI is released alongside the HICP, Eurostat’s harmonized measure of consumer prices.
What to expect:
A higher than expected reading should be taken as positive/bullish for the EUR, while a lower than expected reading should be taken as negative/bearish for the EUR.