This week’s currency news 11 Dec 2011

This week sees the release of important data for the Pound, including retail sales, unemployment and inflation. After Friday’s EU summit we also of course have the long running Euro debt crisis – will markets punish the Pound after the UK’s lone position on treaty changes, or will it be seen as a show of strength and economic independence? Will the Euro strengthen as the single currency zone signs up to a new common fiscal policy? The week’s important scheduled data releases are as follows: Monday 12th 0030 – Australian trade balance 1900 – US monthly budget statement Tuesday 13th 0030 – Australian business confidence 0930 – UK inflation (CPI) 1000 – Eurozone & German economic sentiment survey (ZEW) 1330 – US retail sales 1915 – US interest rate decision 2330 – Australian consumer confidence Wednesday 14th 0815 – Swiss industrial production 0930 – UK unemployment 1000 – Eurozone industrial production Thursday 15th 0830 – Swiss interest rate decision 0900 – German manufacturing & services PMI; ECB monthly report 0930 – UK retail sales 1000 – Eurozone inflation (CPI) 1330 – US producer inflation (PPI) & current account 1415 – US industrial production Friday 16th 1330 – US inflation (CPI)