Thursday preview: Economic data in the spotlight as corporate calendar bare
With no significant corporate results due on Thursday, economic data will be in focus.
UK house price data from Nationwide will be released ahead of the opening bell. Economists expect house prices rose 0.2% month-on-month and 3.8% year-on-year in December.
In the US, the advance goods trade balance will be published in afternoon trade with analysts expected a deficit of $61.5bn in November compared to $62.0bn a month earlier.
US wholesale inventories figures are expected to show a 0.2% increase in November following a 0.4% decline in October.
The Labor Department is forecast to reveal initial jobless claims fell to 264,000 in the week to 24 December from 275,000 the previous week.
The Energy Information Administration also publishes its US weekly crude inventory report, which will be high on the agenda as traders await for signs of OPEC’s deal to curb production to address the global supply glut.
Thursday 29 December
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Anglo Pacific Group, BT Group, Dixons Carphone , Ensor Holdings, Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd. (DI), Halma, KCOM Group, Octopus AIM VCT, OPG Power Ventures, Polar Capital Holdings, Real Good Food , RPC Group
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Funding Circle SME Income Fund, Schroder Income Growth Fund, Value and Income Trust
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Crude Oil Inventories (US) (16:30)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)
Wholesales Inventories (US) (13:30)
SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Polymetal International
EGMS
Datang International Power Generation Co Ltd.
AGMS
Altona Energy, Avanti Communications Group, SimiGon Ltd. (DI), Webis Holdings
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Cambria Automobiles, Game Digital, Grainger, Inland Homes, ITE Group, Oakley Capital Investments Ltd. (DI), Proactis Holdings, Schroder Asia Pacific Fund, Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund