Beyond the economic calendar, US corporate earnings results also warrant investor attention. Alphabet (GOOGL), Caterpillar (CAT), Intel (INTC), and Microsoft (MSFT) were among the big names to release earnings results on Thursday. After-hours results from Alphabet and Microsoft could fuel a tech sector rally.
On Friday, April 26, investors should consider inflation figures from Australia and Japan. Hotter-than-expected numbers could impact buyer demand for ASX 200 and Nikkei 225-listed stocks.
Economists forecast Australian producer prices to increase 2.6% year-on-year in Q1 2024 after rising 4.1% in Q4 2023.
For Tokyo, economists expect the core annual inflation rate to ease from 2.4% to 2.2% in April.
Inflation figures will dominate the early headlines. However, the Bank of Japan interest rate decision and press conference will draw more investor interest. Economists expect the Bank of Japan to leave interest rates at zero. Views on the Japanese Yen, inflation, and timelines to raise interest rates will put the press conference in focus.
Away from the economic calendar, corporate earnings also need consideration. Nomura (8604) and Bank of Communications (HK3328) are among the big names to release earnings results on Friday.
