From the UK, yesterday, UK House Price data was released. UK house prices increased by 0.8% in December, with the annual pace of house price growth picking up to 4.5%, from 3.7% in November. Analysts were anticipating 0.4% increase. After moderating during the first six months of 2015, house price growth remained in a narrow range between 3% and 4.5% in the second half of the year. This is broadly in line with earnings growth and close to the pace we would expect to prevail over the longer term.
In the US session
Pending Home Sales figures were released.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, decreased 0.9 percent to 106.9 in November from an upwardly revised 107.9 in October but is still 2.7 percent above November 2014 (104.1).
Analysts were expecting increase 0.6% increase. Although the index has increased year-over-year for 15 consecutive months, last month's annual gain was the smallest since October 2014 (2.6 percent).
Tomorrow's session will bring only minor importance Housing Equity Withdrawal data. Report should show amount of -10.5 billion pounds. In the US session Unemployment Claims and Chicago PMI figures are scheduled for a release. Unemployment Claims are expected to increase to 274,000, while Chicago PMI should incline to 50.4.
Figures to watch:
Housing Equity Withdrawal (Thursday 10:30)
Unemployment Claims (Thursday 14:30)
Chicago PMI (Thursday 15:15)