Japan Data On Tap For Wednesday

(RTTNews) - Japan is scheduled to release a raft of economic data on Wednesday, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

On tap are final December numbers for the leading and coincident indexes, and the all industry index - as well as January data for department store sales. In addition, the Bank of Japan will release its monthly economic report for February.

For the leading and coincident indexes, little change is expected from the preliminary readings that suggested scores of 112.1 and 111.7, respectively. The all industry index is tipped to rise 0.1 percent on month after gaining 0.3 percent in November. Nationwide department store sales were up 1.7 percent on year in December, while stores in the Tokyo region added 3.6 percent.

Australia will release January data for skilled vacancies and Q4 numbers for wage costs, and also see December results for the leading index from the Conference Board.

Skilled vacancies were down 0.6 percent on month in December. Wage costs are forecast to rise 0.6 percent on quarter and 2.5 percent on year after adding 0.5 percent on quarter and 2.7 percent on year in Q3. The leading index was up 0.2 percent in November.

Malaysia will provide January inflation data; in December, CPI was up 0.3 percent on month and 3.2 percent on year.