Friday preview: UK leadership contest, IHG in focus

Investors' focus at the end of the week will be on the latest headlines around the upcoming leadership contest in the UK with a result expected by 28 October, if not perhaps even sooner.

Against that backdrop, overnight, consultancy GfK would publish the results of its consumer confidence survey for the UK covering the month of October.

It would be followed at 0700 BST by reports on retail sales and public sector borrowing in September.

In the US meanwhile, the economic calendar at the end of the week was empty save for a speech at 1410 BST from New York Fed chief John Williams.

Across the Channel, the market spotlight would be on a preliminary reading for euro area consumer confidence covering the month of October.

On the corporate side of things, Holiday Inn owner IHG is due to post its third quarter results.

Investors will be keen for updates as to how the US business - it strongest - has been faring given rising economic uncertainty.

The largest drag on the company however, China's Covid restrictions, will have continued to hold it back, although in just the last few sessions there had been some reports indicating that Beijing might ease entry requirements to the country.

Friday 21 October

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Advanced Medical Solutions Group, Centaur Media, Central Asia Metals, Chesnara, Fevertree Drinks, Gore Street Energy Storage Fund , Harworth Group, JTC, Kenmare Resources (CDI), Luceco , Portmeirion Group, Somero Enterprises Inc. (DI), Triple Point Income VCT C, Triple Point Income VCT D, Triple Point Income VCT E

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Confidence (EU) (15:00)

Q3

Barclays, Novolipetsk Steel GDS (Reg S)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Foresight VCT

AGMS

Trafalgar Property Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

InterContinental Hotels Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

PMI Services (09:30)

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Artemis Alpha Trust, Eckoh, Frenkel Topping Group, FRP Advisory Group