CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan is scheduled to release a raft of data on Thursday, setting the pace for a busy day in Asia-Pacific economic news. On tap are final Q4 figures for GDP, January numbers for current account and February data for bank lending and the eco watchers survey.
GDP is expected to be upwardly revised from last month's preliminary reading to -0.2 percent on quarter and -0.6 percent annualized. The preliminary read saw a quarterly decline of 0.6 percent and an annualized fall of 2.3 percent. The current account is expected to show a deficit of 320 billion yen following the 303.5 billion yen surplus in December. Bank lending was up 0.6 percent on year in January, while the eco watchers survey is expected to show a score of 46, up from 44.1 in the previous month.
Australia will release February unemployment figures, with analysts expecting the rate to creep higher to 5.2 percent from 5.1 percent in January. The economy is expected to add 5,000 jobs after collecting 46,300 jobs in the previous month.
The Indonesian central bank 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 5.75 percent.
The South Korean central bank 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 3.25 percent.
Finally, the stock markets in India are closed on Thursday for Holi. They will re-open on Friday.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX