The Business News Week Ahead

A look back at the second quarter in Japan will open the week on Monday and the headlines are expected to be a little less grim than others. Headlines look to improve on Tuesday with housing starts and permits from the US where, consistent with other readings on the country's housing sector, strong gains are the expectation. Japan will return on Wednesday and limited acceleration in machinery orders and no improvement in trade are the forecasts. Thursday will open with China's prime loan rate which, given the country's steady recovery, is not expected to be further reduced, and the day will close with initial jobless claims in the US where no further improvement, at weekly levels near 1 million, is expected. Friday will see August flash PMIs including those from Germany and the US where favorable but moderate rates of growth are the call. And that won't be the only news Friday: Japanese consumer prices are expected to remain dormant, UK retail sales are expected to slow, and Eurozone consumer confidence is expected to remain depressed.