Friday preview: UK consumer confidence, IFO index in the spotlight

All eyes at the end of the week will be on the release of UK retail sales figures for the month of November.

Consensus is for a 0.3% month-on-month rise following an 0.8% gain in October.

Also scheduled for release are the results of consultancy GfK's consumer confidence survey for the UK in December.

Economists are anticipating a drop in the index from -14.0 to -17.0, not least due to the emergence of Omicron.

Across the Channel meanwhile, the market spotlight will be on the IFO institute's German business confidence index for December.

Also due out is a final reading for euro area consumer prices covering the month of November.

No major economic releases are scheduled in the US.

Friday 17 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI), Biffa, Calnex Solutions , CML Microsystems, Ninety One , Puma Vct 13, Sainsbury (J), Tatton Asset Management , Telecom Plus, Wynnstay Properties

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BP, Diversified Energy Company , Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (EU) (10:00)

Producer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Wholesale Price Index (GER) (07:00)

AGMS

Cindrigo Holdings Limited, Focusrite, Marwyn Acquisition Company NPV, PetroNeft Resources (CDI), Renalytix (Reg S), Thor Explorations Ltd (DI), Zanaga Iron Ore Co. Ltd (DI)

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Asia Dragon Trust , BlackRock Greater Europe Inv Trust, Fidelity Emerging Markets Limited Ptg NPV, Gattaca, James Halstead, Orchard Funding Group