Friday brought Australian Home Loans data.The trend estimate for the total value of dwelling finance commitments excluding alterations and additions was flat. Owner occupied housing commitments rose 1.3% while investment housing commitments fell 2.4%. In seasonally adjusted terms, the total value of dwelling finance commitments excluding alterations and additions rose 0.8%.In trend terms, the number of commitments for owner occupied housing finance rose 1.1% in December 2015. In seasonally adjusted terms it rose by 2.6%. Analysts were predicting 2.9% increase.
US session was marked by
Retail Sales and Consumer Sentiment figures.Retail sales increased for a third straight month in January as Americans kicked off 2016 by spending freely on cars, clothing and online merchandise.
The 0.2% increase matched the previous month’s advance that was initially reported as a decline, Commerce Department data showed Friday. The median forecast called for a 0.1% gain in January. Excluding cheaper gasoline, which depressed service-station receipts, purchases climbed 0.4%.
The University of Michigan’s preliminary index decreased to 90.7 from 92 in January, a report showed Friday. The median projection called for 92.6. While sentiment cooled for a second month, so did households’ long-term inflation expectations, which declined to the lowest in records to 1979. A weakening of sentiment reflected the impact of the recent turmoil in equity markets, fueled by everything from declining oil prices to a dimmer global outlook.
There will be no major data releases from Australia on Monday, however, from China Trade Balance figures are scheduled for a release. US banks will be closed in observance of President's Day holiday.
Figures to watch:
China's Trade Balance (Monday)
