Japan is on Wednesday scheduled to release January figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.
Imports are expected to add 2.1 percent on year after rising 1.9 percent in December. Exports are called higher by 5.6 percent after falling 5.8 percent in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to reflect a deficit of 1,379.6 billion yen following the downwardly revised 643.3 billion yen shortfall a month earlier.
Japan also will see December results for its all-industry activity index, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 1.6 percent on month after easing 0.3 percent in November.
Australia will provide Q4 figures for its wage cost index, as well as December results for the leading indexes from both Westpac and the Conference Board. Wages are expected to rise 0.8 percent on quarter and 3.4 percent on year after adding 0.7 percent on quarter and 3.7 percent on year in the previous three months. The Westpac index was up 0.6 percent on month in November, while the Conference Board index eased 0.2 percent.
The central bank in Thailand will conclude its monetary policy meeting and then announce its decision on interest rates; the bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold at 2.75 percent.
Malaysia will announce January figures for CPI and Q4 numbers for GDP. Inflation is expected to add 0.3 percent on month and 1.2 percent on year after a flat monthly showing and a 1.2 percent gain in December. GDP is expected to add 2.0 percent on quarter and 5.5 percent on year after rising 3.3 percent on quarter and 5.2 percent on year in Q3.
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