Q1 labour market report to be released

A detailed report on Singapore's labour market situation in the first quarter of this year is expected to be released today.

Going by preliminary estimates released by the Ministry of Manpower in April, about 4,600 workers lost their jobs in the first three months of this year, more than the 3,500 who were let go in the same period last year.

Merkel meets Chinese leaders

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a joint press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing today, during her ninth visit to China since taking office. Dr Merkel, who is under growing pressure from industry and rights groups to confront the Chinese more forcefully, is expected to raise issues including barriers for foreign firms in the Chinese market and human rights with her hosts.

World events that may affect markets

Investors will be keeping tabs this week on various global events. Analysts are increasingly alert to risks arising from the referendum next week on a possible exit by Britain from the European Union. In the United States early Thursday Singapore time, the US Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates on hold but could offer clues on rate rises in the future. The Bank of Japan is also seen as likely to keep interest rates steady on Thursday.