BoJ Minutes On Tap For Wednesday

(RTTNews) - The Bank of Japan will on Wednesday release the minutes from its monetary policy meeting on May 20 and 21, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. At the meeting, the central bank left its benchmark unchanged at 0 to 0.10 percent and also raised its assessment of capital expenditure.

Japan also will see May results for imports, exports, trade balance and department store sales.

Imports were expected to add 1.8 percent on year after rising 3.4 percent in April. Exports are called lower by an annual 1.3 percent after jumping 5.1 percent in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to show a deficit of 1,189.3 billion yen following the 811.7 billion yen shortfall a month earlier.

Nationwide department store sales plunged 12.0 percent on year in April, while Tokyo department stores tumbled 10.8 percent.

Australia will see April results from the Conference Board leading index, plus May numbers for the Westpac leading index. The Conference Board index was flat in M

New Zealand will release Q1 numbers for current account, with forecasts suggesting a surplus of NZD1.4 billion following the NZD1.434 billion deficit in the three months prior.

The central bank in Thailand will conclude its monetary policy meeting and then announce its decision on interest rates; the bank is expected to keep rates on hold at 2.00 percent.

Malaysia will provide May figures for consumer prices, with inflation expected to add 3.3 percent on year - slowing from 3.4 percent in April.