Next Week At A Glance

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For a more comprehensive preview of next week's events, please refer to "The Monday Report", published each Monday morning. For all economic data release dates, ex-div dates and times and other relevant information, please refer to the FNArena Calendar.

By Greg Peel

Tonight’s US jobs report might be highly anticipated, as all US jobs reports are, but it is all but certain the outcome won’t alter the assumption the Fed will hike this month. Something really bizarre would have to transpire, and already Wednesday night’s better than expected private sector result has economists upgrading forecasts.

Less certainty surrounds Sunday’s Italian referendum on constitutional reform. The polls currently suggest a rejection, which would lead to the prime minister’s resignation and again throw Europe into turmoil. The referendum itself is not a “Brexit” moment, but a loss would leave markets wondering if “Italexit” is not far away.

Australia’s September quarter GDP result is due next Wednesday. Earlier in the week we’ll see numbers for company profits and inventories and the current account, which includes the terms of trade. The question will be one of whether improvement in the trade balance, thanks to the commodity price rebound, will be enough to offset weakness implied by the previously released construction and capex numbers.

Next week also sees the first RBA meeting post-Trump. While no policy change is expected, the governor’s take on the New World will make for interesting reading.

Next week also brings ANZ job ads, the monthly trade balance and housing finance numbers. The services sector PMI is out on Monday.

The rest of the world will also release services PMIs on Monday. In a quieter data week for the US, trade, factory orders and consumer sentiment will feature.

Next week also sees trade and inflation numbers out of China.

While the AGM flow has now slowed to a trickle in the local market, Westpac’s ((WBC)) meeting next week will be the highlight.

Insurance Australia Group ((IAG)) and Santos ((STO)) will host investor days.

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