Friday preview: UK retail sales, central bank speakers in focus

Investors' focus at the weekend will remain on the UK with the monthly retail sales report due out before the start of the session.

At 0700 GMT, the Office for National Statistics is expected to announce a 0.3% month-on-month increase during the month of October, following a 0.9% drop in the month before.

Across the Channel meanwhile, at 1100 GMT Eurostat will release a final reading for euro area consumer prices, also for the month of October.

A raft of European Central Bank officials are also due to deliver remarks, including president Christine Lagarde herself, from 0830 GMT.

A trio of Fed officials are also scheduled to deliver speeches, starting with Boston Fed chief Susan Collins at 1345 GMT.

On the data front, at 1330 GMT the Department of Commerce will publish housing permits and starts figures for October and at 1600 GMT the Kansas City Fed will release its regional factory index for November.

Friday 17 November

INTERIMS

Record

AGMs

Future Metals Nl (DI), Rockpool Acquisitions

GMs

Saietta Group, Red Rock Resources

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Hays

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Morgan Advanced Materials, Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust, Murray International Trust, Old Mutual Limited NPV (DI), Taylor Wimpey, Likewise Group, Howden Joinery Group, International Public Partnerships Ltd., Animalcare Group, Kingfisher, Tritax Big Box Reit

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Hays

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Retail Sales (07:00)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Current Account (EU) (09:00)

Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (EU) (10:00)

Building Permits (US) (13:30)

Housing Starts (US) (13:30)