Friday preview: US inflation data, China factory PMI, US banking statistics in focus

Financial markets' focus at the end of the first quarter was to be on key inflation data on either side of the Atlantic.

At 1330 GMT, the US Department of Commerce would release the price deflator for personal consumption expenditures covering the month of February.

Consensus was that the headline rate of change would be steady at 4.7% and that it dipped from 5.4% for January to 5.3% in February.

The global banking sector wouldn't be far from investors' minds either, as after the close of market in New York the Federal Reserve would release its latest weekly report on US commercial banks' assets and liabilities.

But first, overnight, China's National Bureau of Statistics would publish its manufacturing sector Purchasing Managers' Index for March.

Also of key interest, at 1000 GMT Eurostat was set to publish a preliminary reading for consumer prices in the euro area in March.

In particular, investors were keen to see how well-behaved, or not, core consumer prices had been (consensus: 5.7%).

The final results of the University of Michigan's consumer confidence survey for March were also due out, including the key gauges for inflation expectations derived from the same.

European Central Bank boss, Christine Lagarde, was set to take to the podium, from 1600 GMT, as were at least three Fed speakers starting from 2000 GMT.

On home shores, at 0700 GMT, the Office for National Statistics would release a final reading for fourth quarter UK gross domestic product growth for the last quarter of 2022.

Friday 31 March

INTERIMS

James Halstead

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

City of London Investment Group, DX (Group), Fonix Mobile , Gateley (Holdings) , Hargreaves Lansdown, Mid Wynd International Inv Trust

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BP, Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust, HICL Infrastructure , NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red, Pollen Street, Premier Miton Global Renewables Trust, RM Infrastructure Income, Tetragon Financial Group Limited, The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited, Vaalco Energy, Inc (DI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chicago PMI (US) (14:45)

Import Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)

Personal Income (US) (13:30)

Personal Spending (US) (13:30)

Retail Sales (GER) (07:00)

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

Unemployment Rate (EU) (10:00)

Unemployment Rate (GER) (08:55)

FINALS

Computacenter, Dignity, M. P. Evans Group

ANNUAL REPORT

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company (CDI)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Centaur Media, NB Global Monthly Income Fund Limited Red Ord Shs NPV £

AGMS

Angus Energy , Brunner Inv Trust, Inland Homes, MediaZest, Pressure Technologies, ROS Agro GDR REG S, Tekmar Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pennon Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Current Account (07:00)

Gross Domestic Product (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Aviva 8 3/8% Cumulative Irrd Preference 1, Barclays, Blackrock Throgmorton Trust, Henry Boot Prf, Imperial Brands , Keystone Positive Change Investment Trust 5% Cumulative Preference 1, Northern Electricity Prf, Rights & Issues Investment Trust , S and U 6% Cumulative Prf. £1, Titon Holdings