Fourth quarter GDP data

Contrary to last week, the release calendar will pick up a bit this week in the three main economic regions.

In the US, the preliminary Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figure for the fourth quarter of 2007 will be released. The Producers Price Index (PPI) figures for January will also be published. Further data will include a number of housing market releases, confidence indicators, personal income and durable goods figures.

In the Euroland, expect the release of confidence indicators for the Eurozone as well as for Germany and Italy, the latter two will also publish their final fourth quarter 2007 GDP figures. Of interest will be the issue of the Eurozone's unemployment data for January. Consumer Price Index figures and M3 money supply data will complete the picture in the Euroland. In the UK, the markets will be focused on the GDP figures for the last quarter of 2007, Nationwide house price data and M4 lending figures. Of further interest in the UK, we will also have February GfK consumer confidence report. These figures will have a bearing on the future path of policy rates.

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