Global equities ended mostly firmer last week, following upbeat corporate earnings reports.

UK Markets ended the week in positive territory, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted at ending all Covid-19 rules.

UK’s BRC like-for-like retail sales climbed more than market anticipations on an annual basis in January.

The RICS house price balance advanced in January.

In the UK, manufacturing production climbed on a monthly basis in December.

Total trade deficit narrowed in December.

UK’s Halifax house price index rose less than market expectations on a monthly basis in January.

Gross domestic product (GDP) advanced less than market anticipations in 4Q21.

In the UK, industrial production rose less than market forecast on a monthly basis in December.

The NIESR GDP estimate rose less than market anticipations in January.

European Markets ended the week on a positive footing, amid robust corporate earnings results.

In the Eurozone, the Sentix investor confidence index climbed less than market anticipations in February.

In Germany, the consumer price index (CPI) rose in line with market expectations on an annual basis in January.

Germany’s seasonally adjusted industrial production unexpectedly dropped on a monthly basis in December.

In Germany, current account surplus widened less than market forecast in December.

Germany’s seasonally adjusted trade surplus narrowed in December.

US Markets ended the week in red, as higher than expected US inflation data fuelled concerns that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will hike rates aggressively.

US consumer price inflation accelerated to a 40-year high in January.

Initial claims declined for a third consecutive week in the week ended 04 February 2022.

In the US, consumer credit grew less than market expectations in December.

The NFIB small business optimism index fell to an 11-month low in January.

US trade deficit widened in December.

The MBA mortgage applications dropped on a weekly basis in the week ended 04 February 2022.

In the US, the Michigan consumer sentiment index unexpectedly fell to a 10-year low in February.

Asian Markets ended firmer last week.

In Japan, the leading economic index advanced to a five-month high in December.

Japan’s producer price index (PPI) advanced more than market anticipations on an annual basis in January.

In Japan, (BOP basis) trade deficit narrowed in December.

Japan posted a current account deficit in December.

In Japan, the coincident index unexpectedly dropped in December.

Australia’s NAB business confidence index improved in January.

In Australia, the consumer inflation expectations rose in February.

Australia’s NAB business conditions index dropped more than market forecast in January.

In Australia, Westpac consumer confidence index fell in February.

Reserve Bank of Australia’s Governor, Philip Lowe, stated that he is prepared to accept inflation above the upper end of his 2%-3% target range and reiterated to remain patient before increasing the key cash rate.

The EUR ended lower against the USD last week, following dovish remarks by European Central Bank (ECB) President, Christine Lagarde.

The British Pound ended stronger against the greenback last week, as UK’s economy grew at a faster rate in 2021.

The US Dollar ended mostly weaker against its major counterparts last week, amid drop in the US Treasury yields.

ECB President, Christine Lagarde signalled a ‘gradual’ shift in the central bank’s policy to tackle rising inflation. Meanwhile, Lagarde stated that she no longer expected inflation to fall below its 2% target by the end of this year.

Going ahead this week, investors will keep a tab on the US producer price index (PPI), the MBA mortgage applications, retail sales, industrial production, the NAHB housing market index, FOMC minutes, building permits, housing starts, initial jobless claims, the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index and existing home sales for further direction. Additionally, Eurozone’s GDP, trade balance, the ZEW economic sentiment indicator, industrial production, current account balance, construction output, the consumer confidence index along with Germany’s ZEW indices will keep investors on their toes. Also, UK’s average hourly earnings including bonus, the ILO unemployment rate, the CPI, the PPI, the retail price index, the DCLG house price index and retail sales would garner significant amount of investor attention.