GBP

The UK public finance figures showed the government’s
financial position improved last month. The deficit was £9.3bn, according to
the Office for National Statistics, taking cumulative borrowing for the financial
year so far to £99.3bn – 4.3% lower than at this stage last year. With just one
month left to go, this puts the chancellor on course to meet his new full-year
borrowing forecast of £108bn – or 6.6% of GDP.

EUR

GBP

The UK public finance figures showed the government’s
financial position improved last month. The deficit was £9.3bn, according to
the Office for National Statistics, taking cumulative borrowing for the financial
year so far to £99.3bn – 4.3% lower than at this stage last year. With just one
month left to go, this puts the chancellor on course to meet his new full-year
borrowing forecast of £108bn – or 6.6% of GDP.

EUR

Figures from the European Commission showed that the
consumer confidence index jumped to -9.3 points, up from February’s figure of
-12.7 and better than the forecast -12.4. In the European Union as a whole
sentiment improved from -9.3 points in February to -6.7.

Data from the Eurozone services and manufacturing sectors
have disappointed this morning, where expansion has slowed slightly in March
from February. The euro has weakened as a result.

CAD

Canada’s inflation rate slowed in February but stayed within
the central bank’s comfort zone. Consumer prices rose 1.1% in the year to
February, down from a 1 ½ year high of 1.5% in January but above the market
forecast of a 0.9% increase, Statistics Canada data showed on Friday. Lower
gasoline prices partially offset higher shelter and food costs in February.

CNY

Overnight Chinese manufacturing activity slowed again in March to its
weakest rate in eight months from 48.7 to 48.1.The latest indication of slackening
growth in the world’s number two economy. The weakness appears even more
pronounced given that there is usually a seasonal rebound after the Chinese New
Year holiday

Key Announcements:

13.58pm – USD – Markit Manufacturing PMI (Mar): Expected so slow
to 56.5.