MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - Wednesday sees a fairly limited data session, with the three

key releases coming from the UK at 0830GMT with September's CPI reading, the US

housing starts and building permits for September at 1230GMT and Japan's

September trade balance at 2350GMT. The minutes from the Fed's late September

meeting will also be closely watched.

     ECB Executive Board member Peter Praet speaking in Madrid at 0730GMT.

     The UK CPI reading is anticipated to come down from a six-month high of

2.7% to 2.6% in September. MNI analysis points to a continued theme of air and

sea fares being particularly elevated in August and tempering in September.

     The seasonally adjusted pace of housing starts is expected to slow to a

1.230 million annual rate in September after moving up slightly in August. The

NAHB index held steady at 67 in September. As inventories remain tight, builders

will likely find it advantageous to boost output. The pace of building permits

is expected to rise to a 1.266 million annual rate after falling sharply in

August. Rebuilding following Hurricane Florence should lift permits and starts

in coming months.

     Speaking at 1610GMT is US Federal Reserve Bank Governor Lael Brainard

speaking in Boston.

     Next up, at 1630GMT, ECB Governing Council member Jens Weidmann speaks in

Berlin.

     At 1800GMT, the Federal Reserve releasing the minutes from its September

meeting.

     The trade balance in Japan is expected to better from a deficit of JPY438

bn to JPY28.7 bn.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com