From Australia, yesterday, NAB Business Confidence figures were released. Financial market volatility has persisted, raising the risk of an adverse impact on Australian business that could threaten the recovery seen in the non-mining economy. However, today’s NAB Monthly Business Survey suggests that business confidence – where the negative effects from financial markets are likely to be felt first – have held up reasonably well in the face of this uncertainty. The confidence index remained unchanged at +2 points in January.
In the US session
JOLTS Job Openings data was published.
Job openings rose to 5.6 million in December. The job openings rate was 3.8 percent. The number of job openings increased in December for total private and was little changed for government. Job openings increased in construction (+69,000), nondurable goods manufacturing (+60,000), and durable goods manufacturing (+26,000). In the regions, job openings increased in the West over the month.
From Australia, tomorrow, Westpac Consumer Confidence data is scheduled for a release. Analysts are hoping for a better reading this month. In the US session Janet Yellen is due to testify on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report before the House Financial Services Committee, in Washington DC, which should bring some volatility to the markets.
Figures to watch:
Westpac Consumer Sentiment (Wednesday 00:30)
Fed Chair Yellen Testifies (Wednesday 16:00)