TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan is scheduled to release a batch of data on Wednesday, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are November figures for inflation, household spending, unemployment, industrial production and retail sales.
The core inflation rate is expected to come in at -0.2 percent after showing -0.1 percent in October. Household spending is expected to contract 1.2 percent on year after easing 0.4 percent in the previous month, while the unemployment rate is called steady at 4.5 percent.
Industrial production is expected to fall 2.0 percent on year and 0.8 percent on month after rising 0.1 percent on year and 2.2 percent on month in October. Retail sales are expected to fall 0.5 percent on month and remain flat on year after falling 1.4 percent on month and rising 1.4 percent on year in October.
South Korea will announce industrial production numbers for November, with forecasts calling for an increase of 6.0 percent on year. That follows the 6.2 percent annual expansion in October.
The Philippines will provide October data for imports and trade balance. Imports are tipped to rise 10.7 percent on year after adding 11.7 percent in September. The trade balance is expected to show a deficit of $1.342 billion after posting a $1.238 billion shortfall in the previous month.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX