Friday preview: US consumer confidence, UK GDP in focus

Investors' focus at the end of the week will remain focused on the US where another batch of inflation indicators are set for release.

At 1500 BST, the University of Michigan will publish the preliminary results of its consumer confidence survey for August.

Of particular interest will be the inflation expectations gauges contained in that report.

However, consensus is for consumer confidence to remain its record lows for now, despite the recent rally in stocks and drop in petrol prices with the latter being a key variable for consumers in the States.

Also due out is a reading for import prices in July with economists anticipating a 0.9% fall.

On home shores meanwhile, June gross domestic product data are seen revealing a 1.2% jump in aggregate demand, although GDP is expected to have dipped by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter across the three months to June.

Across the Channel, final readings for French and Spanish consumer prices in July are scheduled to be published.

Euro area industrial production data for June are also due out, at 1000 BST.

Friday 12 August

INTERIMS

888 Holdings (DI), Flutter Entertainment (CDI)

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Avast, Northern Venture Trust

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock Latin American Inv Trust, NB Global Monthly Income Fund Limited Red Ord Shs NPV £, Tufton Oceanic Assets Limited NPV

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Current Account (GER) (10:30)

Import and Export Price Indices (US) (13:30)

Industrial Production (EU) (10:00)

U. of Michigan Confidence (Prelim) (US) (15:00)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Bytes Technology Group

EGMS

Fix Price Group Gdr (Each repr 1) (Reg s)

AGMS

iEnergizer Ltd., Pineapple Power Corporation , UPL Limited GDR Reg S

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (07:00)

GDP (Preliminary) (07:00)

Gross Domestic Product (07:00)

Index of Services (07:00)

Industrial Production (07:00)

Manufacturing Production (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Bytes Technology Group , Cropper (James), Elixirr International , Industrials Reit Limited, MS International, Next Fifteen Communications, Octopus AIM VCT, Sanderson Design Group