MNI Global Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - After Friday's very busy calendar, Monday is calmer with

most of the data releases in the morning.

     Germany start us off with their retail sales figures at 0600GMT. Prior

retail sales growth in February was at 1.3%, which was markedly down from

January which saw growth of 2.5%.

     Next up Switzerland sees the KOF Economic Barometer released at 0700GMT.

The previous index value stood at 106.

     The M3 figures for the EU is at 0800GMT which had a prior y/y growth of

4.2% and a three month average of 4.4%.

     Starting in Italy at 0900GMT is their HICP data. March saw m/m and y/y

growth of 2.3% and 0.9% respectively, representing a base effect from a low

January and February m/m growth. Germany a bit later on at 1200GMT release their

preliminary HICP data. In March, m/m and y/y figures were at 0.4% and 1.5%

respectively. German state inflation will be released through the morning

session

     Canada begin the afternoon at 1230GMT with their Industrial Product and Raw

Material Price Index figures. Previously, industrial product prices grew by a

year on year figure of 1.9% which was significantly less than raw materials

which grew at 5.9%.

     Also at 1230GMT is the US Personal Income and Consumption. Personal income

previously grew at 0.4% and the core PCE price index previously grew at 0.2%.

     Next up at 1342GMT is the MNI Chicago Report. The previous Chicago PMI for

March stood at 57.4 which was a second continuous drop in the month figure from

an index value in January and February of 81 and 61.9 respectively.

     Pending home sales is next in the US at 1400GMT, with the NAR pending home

sales index previously at 107.5. Shortly after this at 1430GMT is the Dallas Fed

Manufacturing Survey, with the previous index value at 21.4.

     For those still up, 2230GMT sees the AI Group Manufacturing Index in

Australia which had a previous index value of 63.1. Straight after this at

2245GMT is the Monthly Building Approvals with m/m building consents growth

previously at 5.7%.

     Have a short break but be back for 0000GMT for the CoreLogic Home value

index in Australia which previously had a flat m/m growth.

     Now is the time for a power nap but wake up in time for 0430GMT for the RBA

cash rate decision in Australia. The previous rate of 1.5% is not anticipated by

analysts to change when the decision is made on Tuesday.

     Concluding the calendar is RBA Governor Philip Lowe speaking at a board

dinner in Adelaide.

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