Investing.com - The economic calendar for the week ending March 28 contains reports on the U.S. housing sector and consumer confidence. Elsewhere, China is to release data on manufacturing activity, the euro zone is to report on private sector growth and the U.K. is to release a report on inflation. Here are some key events to watch:
U.S. housing sector data
The Commerce Department is release a report on the number of new homes sold in February on Tuesday. Analysts are expecting a decline of 4.9% following a 9.6% rise in January. Separately, the S&P Case-Shiller home price report will indicate whether increases in home prices continued to slow in January. The National Association of Realtors is to report on pending home sales on Thursday, amid expectations for a small gain after a tiny 0.1% rise in January.
U.S. consumer confidence
The U.S. is to release two reports on consumer confidence, which will offer an insight into how consumers view the economy this month. The Conference Board is to publish the findings of its confidence index on Tuesday, and the University of Michigan’s revised consumer sentiment index is due out on Friday. Economy watchers will be looking out for any impact from the crisis in Ukraine.
China’s HSBC manufacturing index
China’s HSBC manufacturing index fell to a seven-month low of 48.5 in February, sparking concerns over the strength of the world’s second-largest economy. However, analysts have warned the data should be treated with caution because of the effects of the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell at the end of January this year and continued into early February. Market participants are hoping for a slight uptick to 48.7 in March when the data is released on Monday.
Euro zone private sector surveys
The euro zone is to release data on private sector activity on Monday. Last month data showed that private sector activity in the euro area increased at the fastest rate in two-and-a-half years in February, as output growth in Germany surged to a 33-month high. However, the divergence between Germany and France widened last month, with France being the only nation to report a contraction in business activity.
U.K. inflation
The U.K. is to release the latest report on consumer price inflation on Tuesday. Last month data showed that the annual rate of inflation declined to 1.9% in January, falling below the Bank of England’s 2% target for the first time in more than four years. Economy watchers are expecting another decline to 1.7%.