Major economic events which could affect the forex markets for the week ending May 25^th, 2012 are as follows:

On Monday, May 21^st, data on construction output was published in the euro zone. Switzerland data on consumer confidence and M4 money supply was released.

United States released its Chicago Fed’s Nat Activity index while US Federal Reserve’s official Lockhart addressed at event in Tokyo regarding the direction of the US monetary policy. In United Kingdom, data on Rightmove house prices was reported. Japan reported its data on supermarket sales, coincident index, leading index of economic indicators and All Industry activity index.

On Tuesday, May 22^nd, data on consumer confidence will be reported in the euro zone while European Commission’s OECD will publish is report in economic outlook for the region. In United States data on existing home sales will be published while Richmond’s Federal Reserve will release its manufacturing index. Moreover, the US Federal Reserve’s official Lockhart will address at an event in Hong Kong which will be closely watched to assess the future direction of the monetary policy.

In United Kingdom, data on consumer price index, retail price index, public sector borrowing, public finances and house prices will be reported.

On Wednesday, May 23^rd, 2012, euro zone will report its official figure on the region’s current account while in United States, data on house price index, retail sales, mortgage applications and new home sales will be published. The US Department of Energy will also release its weekly report on crude oil, gasoline and distillates inventories. US Federal Reserve’s official Kocherlakota will address at an event in South Dakota will be closely monitored by traders. Canada is expected to release its official data on retail sales and index of leading economic indicators.

In United Kingdom, data on Trends total orders and selling prices will be reported while the Bank of England will release the minutes of its latest monetary policy meeting.

Australia is expected to release its conference board’s leading index while in Japan, data on total trade balance and merchandize trade balance will be reported.

On Thursday, May 24^th, 2012, Germany will report its data on government spending, construction investment, private consumption, capital investment, domestic demand, gross domestic product and data on imports and exports. Germany will also release its purchasing managers’ index for manufacturing and services sectors while IFO institute will publish its report on Germany’s current assessment, expectations and business climate. France will release its data on purchasing managers’ index for manufacturing and services sectors while a separate PMI for both sectors will be released for the euro zone.

United States is expected to release its data on durables goods orders, weekly data on initial jobless claims, continuing claims and manufacturing activity index by Kansas City’s Federal Reserve. Energy Information Administration is also expected to release data on natural gas supplies.

In United Kingdom, several economic indicators will be released including, data on exports & imports, total business investment, government spending, index of services, gross fixed capital formation, private consumption, retail sales, gross domestic product and data on BBA loans for house purchase. In Switzerland, data on trade balance will be published. Japan will report its figures on foreign buying in Japanese bonds and stocks and Japan’s buying in foreign bonds and stocks. The Bank of Japan will also publish its monthly economic report on Thursday.

On Friday, May 25^th, Germany is expected to release it import price index and consumer confidence survey in the single currency region. United States will report its University of Michigan’s index. In Japan, consumer price index will be reported.