Friday preview: Global PMIs, ECB's Lagarde in focus

Financial markets' focus at the end of the week will be on the release of a raft of surveys that will give investors a better handle on just how quickly economies are recovering as lockdowns are lifted and vaccines are rolled out.

But while manufacturing and services sector Purchasing Managers Indices for the UK and US are expected show that activity accelerated in April, in the euro area only the slightest pick up in growth is anticipated.

The UK PMIs will be released at 0930 BST, preceded by those for the euro area at 0900 BST.

Also due out on home shores, overnight, is a reading on consumer confidence, courtesy of consultancy GfK.

It will be followed at 0700 BST by readings for monthly retail sales and public sector net borrowing requirements in the UK.

To take note of as well, ECB chief, Christine Lagarde, is scheduled to speak at an event organised by Michael Bloomberg on capital markets and climate change.

Friday 23 April

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Henderson EuroTrust, JPMorgan Mid Cap Inv Trust, Thorpe (F.W.), TR European Growth Trust

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Standard Life Private Equity Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Homes Sales (US) (15:00)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Alternative Liquidity Fund Limited

AGMS

BB Healthcare Trust (Red), Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI), Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Murray International Trust, O'Key Group GDR (Reg S) , PAO Novatek GDR (Reg S), Senior

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

DigitalBox, XPS Pensions Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Amino Technologies, Chemring Group, Globaldata