CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Japan is scheduled to release a batch of data on Wednesday, setting the pace for a modest day in Asia-Pacific economic news. On tap are final October figures for the leading and coincident indexes and the all industry activity index, as well as November trade figures. In addition, the Bank of Japan kicks off its two-day monetary policy meeting.
Little change is expected from the preliminary readings for the leading index (92.5) and the coincident (90.6), while the all industry index is expected to add 0.2 percent on month after dipping 0.3 percent in September.
Exports are expected to fall 5.5 percent on year after shedding 6.5 percent in October, while imports are expected to add an annual 0.6 percent following the 1.5 percent contraction in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to show a deficit of 1,035.1 billion yen after showing a shortfall of 551.1 billion yen a month earlier.
Australia will see the October results of the Westpac leading index and the November figures for internet skilled vacancies. The leading index was up 0.7 percent on month in September, while the job ads dipped 2.5 percent on month in October.
Malaysia will provide inflation figures for November, with analysts expecting the rate to rise to 1.4 percent from 1.3 percent in October - when CPI also added 0.2 percent on month.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX