2018.09.1818:00:00UTC+00Japan Interest Rate Decision Due On Wednesday

The Bank of Japan will wrap up its monetary policy meeting on Wednesday and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The benchmark lending rate is expected to hold steady at -0.1 percent.

Japan also will release August figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to surge 14.5 percent on year, slowing from 14.6 percent in July. Exports are called higher by an annual 5.2 percent, up from 3.9 percent in the previous month. The trade deficit is pegged at 483.2 billion yen following the 231.2 billion yen shortfall a month earlier.

New Zealand will provide Q2 numbers for current account, with forecasts suggesting a deficit of NZ$1.315 billion. That follows the NZ$0.182 billion surplus in the three months prior. The GDP ratio is expected to fall 2.9 percent on quarter after sliding 2.8 percent in Q1.

Australia will see August results for skilled vacancies and for the Westpac leading index; in July, they were up 0.2 percent and flat, respectively.

Malaysia will provide August figures for consumer prices; in July, inflation was up 0.2 percent on month and 0.9 percent on year.

The central bank in Thailand will conclude its monetary policy meeting and announce its decision on interest rates. The bank is widely expected to keep its benchmark lending rate steady at 1.50 percent.