China Trade Data On Tap For Thursday

(RTTNews) - China will on Thursday release April figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Imports are expected to fall 2.3 percent on year after dropping 11.3 percent in March. Exports are called lower by 1.7 percent following the 6.6 percent decline in the previous month. The trade balance is tipped to show a surplus of $13.9 billion, up from $7.7 billion a month earlier.

Australia will announce April unemployment data, with forecasts suggesting the jobless rate will creep up o 5.9 percent from 5.8 percent in March. The Australian economy is expected to have added 8,750 jobs after gaining 18,150 in the previous month.

Indonesia will see Q1 GDP figures, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 1.2 percent on quarter and 5.5 percent on year. That follows the 1.4 percent quarterly decline and the 5.7 percent annual increase in the previous three months.

Indonesia's central bank also will make its call on interest rates, with the bank widely expected to keep rates on hold at 7.50 percent.

The central bank in Malaysia will conclude its monetary policy meeting and then announce its decision on interest rates. The central bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold at 3.00 percent.

The central bank in the Philippines also will announce its decision on interest rates; the bank is tipped to keep rates steady at 3.50 percent.