MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - Wednesday's three key data events are the January France

business climate indicator at 0745GMT, November Canada retail sales data at

1330GMT and the January Euro Area flash consumer confidence data at 1500GMT.

     Before the data gets underway, the only scheduled speech of the day is at

0630GMT, when BOJ Governor Kuroda holds his press briefing following the BOJ two

day policy meeting.

     There will likely be plenty of policymakers comments throughout the

morning, as the World Economic Forum continues in Davos.

     Should the MNI median hold true, the French business climate indicator will

remain unchanged in January from December at an index reading of 102.0.

     Retail sales in Canada grew by 0.3% m/m in October. The MNI median suggests

a 0.6% fall in November. Excluding fuel, expectations are for a 0.4% drop

compared to an unchanged reading in October.

     Unsurprisingly, the flash consumer confidence reading in the Euro Area is

expected to fall to -6.4 in January from -6.2 in December.

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