Plenty of action later today and in the early hours of the morning for markets as the US and Europe releasing data as well some key speakers delivering addresses.

The US is reporting a few pieces of data. This includes: Unemployment claims, HPI (House Price Index), Natural Gas Storage and Crude Oil Inventories. The unemployment data, although a weekly figure and therefore volatile, it helps us get a picture of the labour market in the US. The HPI data reflects the change in purchase price of homes. The Crude Oil data is just that – a set of figures reflecting the crude oil build up or draw-down over the previous week. These figures can influence world oil prices. Meanwhile, Fed Reserve Member Robert Kaplan is due to speak. The most interesting event tonight will be the speech made by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Markets want to hear from the new secretary and will listen intently at what he says and what language is used. This has the potential to stir markets.

Europe is publishing a few pieces of data. This includes German Final GDP, Gfk German Consumer Climate and Italian Retail Sales. The GDP figure is vital in determining the economic growth of the EU’s largest economy. They need to be posting strong numbers to maintain confidence throughout the rest of the EU. Retail Sales is important to the ailing Italian economy. Any up-tick in economic data for them is a major positive.

Elsewhere around the world, the UK is reporting CBI Realised Sales and Canada is releasing Corporate Profits data. Finally, Reserve bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe is due to speak in the early hours of tomorrow morning.