In Brief: major data releases of the week

Monday, 23 March 2026

-Japan CPI: Consensus sees the headline unchanged at 1.5%, the lowest print since March 2022 and ex-food and energy up one-tenth to 2.7%. The recent BoJ meeting saw Governor Ueda highlight inflation and spring wage negotiations, amid incoming higher global energy prices and recent currency weakness.

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

– Global PMIs: Services activity is still resilient and in expansionary territory. Manufacturing has enjoyed a decent start to the year, with notably the eurozone printing above 50 at a 44-month high. Input costs pressures hit multi-month highs, even before the Middle East energy crisis.

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

– Australia CPI: Headline inflation is forecast to stay steady at 3.8% and the trimmed mean at 3.4%. The recent RBA meeting saw officials debate the timing of the hike not whether to tighten, and some concern about CPI.

– UK CPI: Analysts predict unchanged headline inflation at 3% and core at 3.1%, with services down two-tenths at 4.2%. The data is before the recent energy-driven price spike, which won’t show up until Q3. Last week’s BoE meeting was hawkish due to inflation concerns and subsequent huge repricing of rate hikes, with roughly 88bps priced in for 2026.

Friday, 27 March 2026

– UK Retail Sales: Headline sales are seen at -0.6% and core at -1%, after strong activity in January. Economists see a softer pace of high street spending, as the labour market and wage growth cools.