Markets Eye Eurozone PPI, U.S. Trade Data On Thursday

Eurozone producer prices and U.S. import and export data are set to be the main market focus on Thursday, according to ETNet. In Hong Kong, the August purchasing managers' index will be released at 8:30 a.m. local time. Australia will publish July exports, imports and trade balance at 9:30 a.m., with the trade surplus forecast to narrow to A$1.5 billion from A$1.93 billion. The UK will release August composite PMI at 4:30 p.m., seen rising to 52.5 from 52.2, while the services PMI is expected to climb to 52.8 from 52.1. The eurozone will publish July producer price index data at 5:00 p.m., with the monthly reading expected to improve to 1.2% from minus 0.3% and the annual rate to rise to 5.4% from 4.6%. At 8:30 p.m., the U.S. will release July exports, imports and trade balance, along with weekly jobless claims data. The trade deficit is forecast to widen to $90.3 billion from $73.3 billion, while continuing claims are seen rising to 1.785 million from 1.778 million and initial claims to 205,000 from 203,000. At 9:45 p.m., the U.S. will publish August composite PMI, expected to rise to 56 from 54.5, and services PMI, seen increasing to 56.8 from 54.6. Also at 8:30 p.m. Hong Kong time, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller will take part in a Reuters NEXT interview. In Hong Kong, SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings (00315) is among the companies due to report results tomorrow.