Week Ahead Economic Preview: Week of 7 September 2020

The following is an extract from IHS Markit's latest Week Ahead Economic Preview. For the full report, please click on the 'Download Full Report' link.

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• This quarter growth signals sought from industrial production and trade updates
• Policy decisions in the eurozone and Malaysia
• UK, Japan, eurozone and Russia GDP data
• US inflation and jobless claims in focus

After signs from the latest business surveys that the global recovery accelerated in August as economies continued to open up after COVID-19 lockdowns, confirmation of solid starts to the third quarter will be sought from industrial production numbers for the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as trade numbers for China, Taiwan, Germany and the UK. New estimates of GDP data for Japan, Russia and the eurozone are meanwhile expected to confirm second quarter woes.

In the US, inflation data are updated alongside labour market indicators in the form of jobless claims and job openings. There have been some signs of input cost inflation starting to pick up in the US PMI surveys, though policymakers have shifted their focus away from price stability towards sustaining the recovery, meaning it will be the labour market that likely holds most attention. The weekly jobless claims numbers in particular will be eyed for the ongoing impact of lockdowns, which were tightened on average across the US in August but are now easing again (page 3).

In terms of policy action, the latest ECB monetary policy decision will be eagerly awaited for clues as to the possibility of further stimulus later this year amid signs of falling prices and hints of a stumbling recovery as Italy and Spain tightened lockdowns. In the UK, July's GDP data will likely show the economy surging, though recent survey data have hinted that growth could fade after the initial rebound (see page 4 plus our special eurozone inflation report on page 6).

In Asia Pacific, the import and export data published for China and Taiwan will be in particular focus as recovery hopes for the region are dependent on trade flows picking up, having been curbed by pandemic supply chain disruptions and weak demand. China's inflation data, Japan's machinery orders and Indian industrial production are also notable releases. Malaysia central bank watchers meanwhile have mixed views on whether further stimulus will be announced at the forthcoming monthly meeting (page 5).

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PMI commentary: Chris Williamson

Europe commentary: Ken Wattret

APAC commentary: Rajiv Biswas and Bernard Aw

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Purchasing Managers' Index™ (PMI™) data are compiled by IHS Markit for more than 40 economies worldwide. The monthly data are derived from surveys of senior executives at private sector companies, and are available only via subscription. The PMI dataset features a headline number, which indicates the overall health of an economy, and sub-indices, which provide insights into other key economic drivers such as GDP, inflation, exports, capacity utilization, employment and inventories. The PMI data are used by financial and corporate professionals to better understand where economies and markets are headed, and to uncover opportunities.

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