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)

CALENDER FOR 8 JAN 2007

CALENDER FOR 8 JANUARY 2007

Mon. 01/08
all day JPY Holiday: Coming of Age Day
Definition
Japanese financial markets will be closed in observance of Coming of Age Day.

1:45am CHF Unemployment Rate 3.1%(forecast) 3.1% (previus)
Definition
Measures the percentage of the total work force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. A falling trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency. Working people tend to spend more, and consumer spending is a major driver of the economy. However, unemployment usually draws little attention because traders view it as a lagging indicator.

2:00am EUR German Retail Sales m/m 0.6% (forecast) -0.5% (previus)
Definition
Measures the value of sales at the retail level. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because Retail Sales make up a large portion of consumer spending, which is a major driver of the economy and has a sizable impact on GDP. Traders pay close attention to Retail Sales because it is usually the first significant indicator of the month that relates to consumer behavior and is susceptible to surprises.

6:00am EUR German Factory Orders m/m 0.9% (forecast) -1.1% (previus)
Definition
Measures the value of new purchase orders placed with domestic manufacturers for durable and non-durable goods.

10:30am CAD BOC Business Outlook Survey
Definition
Measures general business conditions through a quarterly survey, conducted by the Bank of Canada (BOC), that asks 100 firms to rate their company's 12 month forecast for items such as sales growth, investment in machinery, employment, inflation, and ability to meet demand. The 100 firms are selected in accordance with the composition of the nation's GDP.

12:45pm USD Fed Governor Kohn Speaks
Definition
Federal Reserve Governor Donald Kohn will speak about the economic outlook, in Atlanta Georgia. Audience questions expected.

3:00pm USD Consumer Credit m/m 5.4B (forecast) -1.2B (previus)
Definition
Measures the total value of outstanding consumer installment debt, such as credit cards and auto loans. A rising trend has a positive effect on the nation's currency because historically consumer borrowing and spending have a high degree of correlation.

7:01pm GBP BRC Retail Sales y/y 1.9% (forecast) 2.5% (previus)
Definition
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Retail Monitor measures the change in value of sales at surveyed retailers.

7:30pm AUD Retail Sales m/m 0.3% (forecast) 0.8% (previus)

source : FOREX FACTORY