Friday preview: US data, NatWest Group in focus

Investors' focus on Friday will continue to be on the US.

At 1230 BST the Department of Commerce will release durable goods orders figures for September, followed by a final reading on the University of Michigan's consumer confidence survey for October.

In the euro area meanwhile, at 0800 BST the IFO institute will publish its German business confidence index for October.

At that same time, the European Central Bank will release M3 money supply growth data for September.

No major economic reports are scheduled in the UK.

Natwest Group is among the corporate names due to publish results at the end of the week.

UBS analyst Jason Napier is anticipating third quarter profits, before litigation and conduct costs, of £1,480m and a common equity tier one ratio of 13.9%.

The analyst said that he would be focusing on the lender's net interest margins, outlook for costs in 2025, domestic credit quality outlook for fiscal year 2024 and insights into the possible split between on and off-market share buybacks would interest investors most.

In a research note sent to clients, Napier went on to add: "With a double digit underlying free cashflow yield and trading at 6.8x 2025E EPS, we think NatWest provides attractively valued exposure to rising domestic NII and an improving growth and sentiment backdrop."

Friday 25 October

INTERIMS

Airtel Africa

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Advanced Medical Solutions Group, Centaur Media, Computacenter, Diales, Drax Group, Equals Group , Essentra, Facilities by ADF, Fidelity European Trust, Good Energy Group, HGCapital Trust, Hunting, JTC, Luceco , Palace Capital , Public Policy Holding Company, Inc.(DI), Rightmove, Skillcast Group, Stelrad Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Alpha Real Trust Ltd., Patria Private Equity Trust, Real Estate Investors, Value and Indexed Property Income Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Durable Goods Orders (US) (13:30)

M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)

GMS

Europa Metals Ltd NPV (DI)

FINALS

Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Albion Development VCT, Albion Enterprise VCT, Albion Kay VCT

AGMS

KCR Residential Reit, Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd GDR (Reg S), Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd GDR (Reg S), Scancell Holdings

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Artemis Alpha Trust, Fletcher King, FRP Advisory Group , Kainos Group , Litigation Capital Management Limited (DI), Miton UK Microcap Trust, Rank Group