Week ahead: Cairn, LSE and US data

LONDON (ShareCast) - US economic data dominates the shortened week, with the raft of economic statistics likely to be closely scrutinised for any evidence that the US economic problems are worsening.

A few companies publish figures, though many seem to have moved to avoid clashing with the very early Easter.

A trading statement from London Stock Exchange should show bumper volumes in recent weeks with all of the market volatility, but the flipside is that the number of IPOs has shrunk.

Cairn Energy has been buoyed by talk of a bid from Eni of Italy and also comments it is on course to deliver its first oil from the Mangala field in Rajasthan by the second half of 2009. Expect an upbeat statement.

Small electrical engineer T Clarke releases figures on Friday. After a steady drift in its share price it was compelled to issue a statement that it was on track to meet market expectations for the year and is confident about the prospects for the group.

Monday March 24



UK BANK HOLIDAY

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Existing Home Sales (US)

Tuesday March 25

INTERIMS
Ceres Power Holdings

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Scottish & Southern Energy

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Invesco Property Income Trust

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Cryptologic Ld

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Consumer Confidence (US) (14:00)
Corporate Service Price Index (JPN) (23:50)

FINALS
Uniq

EGMs
Integra, Secora

AGMs
Jelf Group, Western & Oriental

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Liontrust Asset Managament

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Brunner Investment Trust

Wednesday March 26

INTERIMS
SCS Upholstery

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Ashmore Group, British Sky Broadcasting Group, Downing Protected VCT, Eleco, Helphire Group, NWF Group, Smiths Group, Sports Direct International, Thorntons, Wolseley

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Alpha Pyrenees Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Current Account (EU) (09:00)
Durable Goods Orders (US) (12:30)
IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)
IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)
IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)
Industrial New Orders (EU) (10:00)
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (11:00)
New Homes Sales (US) (14:00)

FINALS
Asia Distribution Solutions, Bellway, Concurrent Technologies, EG Solutions, GlobeOp Financial Services, Lamprell, LMS Capital, Mobile Streams, Nationwide Accident Repair Services, Robotic Technology, Rugby Estates Investment Trust, Soco International

EGMs
Gateway VCT, Teleset Networks

AGMs
QuestAir Technologies, Turk Ekonomi S, XP Power

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Henderson Opportunities Trust

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
4imprint Group, Aberdeen Growth Opps, Aberdeen Growth VCT2, Arbuthnot Banking Group, Arriva, Aviva, Baronsmead AIM VCT, Bluehone AiM VCT2, Bovis Homes Group, Cattles, Chemring Group, Chieftain Group, DM, Edinburgh UK Tracker, Henderson Tr Pacific IT, Heritage Underwriting Agency, HGCapital Trust, Holidaybreak, InterContinental Hotels Group, Maintel Holdings, Mapeley, Playtech, Stanley Gibbons, Tanzanite One, Wynnstay Group, XP Power

Thursday March 27

INTERIMS
Earthport, GSH Group, Trading Emissions

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gross Domestic Product (US) (12:30)
Help Wanted Index (US) (14:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (12:30)
Personal Consumption (US) (12:30)

FINALS
AFI Development, Cairn Energy, Clinton Cards, Cosentino Signature Wines, Cyan, Fayrewood, Inditherm, M&C Saatchi, Moss Bros, Park Plaza Hotels, Plaza Centers, Salamander Energy, Silence Therapeutics, Skyepharma, Songbird Estates

AGMs
Independent Investment Trust, Nviro Cleantech, Phytopharm

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
London Stock Exchange Group, Mitie Group, Robert Wiseman

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Personal Group Holdings, Throgmorton Trust

Friday March 28

INTERIMS
BowLeven

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Aim Distribution Trust, Anite Group, BlueBay Asset Management, Hargreaves Lansdown, Heath (Samuel) & Sons, London Finance & Investment Group, Mattioli Woods, Northern Recruitment

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Consumer Confidence (FRA) (07:45)
Personal Income (US) (12:30)
Personal Spending (US) (12:30)
PMI Retail (EU) (09:00)
PMI Retail (FRA) (09:00)
PMI Retail (GER) (09:00)
U. of Michigan Confidence (US) (14:00)

FINALS
Aurora Russia, Christie Group, CLS Holdings, CyberView Technology (Reg S), Intimas Group, T Clarke, Telekom.Pol.Gdr

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Balance of Payments (09:30)
Current Account
GDP (quarterly national accounts) (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Baronsmead VCT 4, Innovation Group, LPA Group, Northern 3 VCT, Phoenix VCT

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Spazio Investment