CALENDAT 9 JANUARY 2007

Tue. 01/09
2:00am EUR German Trade Balance 15.3B (f) 17.3B (p)
Definition
Measures the difference in value between imported and exported goods and services. A positive Trade Balance indicates that more goods and services were exported than imported over a given period. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. When higher levels of exports are sold to the world, demand for the nation's currency is elevated as foreigners convert their native currency to purchase the exports. The Trade Balance also has a sizable impact on GDP because high demand for exports creates increased employment and production, as domestic factories work to fill this demand.

6:00am EUR German Industrial Production m/m 1.0%(f) -1.4%(p)
Definition
Measures the total value of output produced by factories, mines, and utilities. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because high levels of production are a sign of a strong economy. Industrial Production reacts quickly to the ups and downs of the business cycle and can be a leading indicator of manufacturing employment, average earnings, and personal income. Traders pay special attention to Industrial Production because it's one of the few growth indicators that is produced directly by the Federal Reserve.

8:15am CAD Housing Starts 230K (f) 225K (p)
Definition
Measures the annualized number of new single-family homes or buildings constructed throughout the previous month.

6:30pm AUD WMI Consumer Sentiment m/m 11.8%
Definition
The Westpac Melbourne Institute (WMI) Consumer Sentiment measures the mood of consumers in regard to economic conditions. The reading is derived from a monthly survey that asks respondents to evaluate the prospects for the economy in the future.

7:01pm GBP Consumer Confidence Index 89 (f) 89 (p)
Investica Analysis
Recent consumer evidence has been mixed.
Definition
The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index (NCCI) measures the mood of consumers in regard to economic conditions. The reading is derived from a monthly survey that asks respondents to evaluate the prospects for the economy in the future.

7:30pm AUD Trade Balance -0.70B (f) -1.26B (p)