It was a plentiful day on Thursday for data, but today not so much.

2350GMT - Japan - Monetary base for November (pump it)

  • prior +22.1%

0030GMT - Australia - Retail sales for October

  • expected +0.3% m/m
  • prior +0.6% m/m
  • Retail sales were weak for 6 months this year, but August (+0.5% m/m) and September (+0.6%) provided a bounce. Much of those better 2 results was attributable to higher prices rather than higher volumes, so elements of weakness remain.
  • Consumer sentiment has remained, on balance, on the strong side; the October retail sales update due today will be watched to see how (if?) this has translated in spending.