Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls in the spotlight

Friday's focus in financial markets will be squarely on the US non-farm payrolls report for May.

Investors are keen to see if US firms are still having trouble filling vacant roles.

Some economists believe that the recent decision by 25 US states to opt-out of Washington's $300 enhancement to weekly unemployment benefits may see more Americans rejoin the work force over the next few weeks - but that remained to be seen.

Consensus was for non-farm payrolls to rebound from April's meagre gain of 266,000 to 663,000.

On home shores, IHS Markit's construction sector Purchasing Managers' Index for May is due out at 0930 BST, and new car registration figures for that same month at 0900 BST.

Across the Channel meanwhile, at 1000 BST, Eurostat is set to report euro area retail sales figures for April.

Also due out are readings on first quarter gross domestic product growth in Greece, Ireland and Slovakia.

In Asia, Japanese real household spending data for April will be released overnight, while in India rate-setters are due to meet.

Consensus is anticipating that Reserve Bank of India will keep its benchmark interest rate at 8.2%.

Friday 04 June

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock Greater Europe Inv Trust, James Halstead

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Honeywell International Inc., JPMorgan Claverhouse Inv Trust, TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Factory Orders (US) (14:00)

ISM Services (US) (15:00)

Non-Farm Payrolls (US) (13:30)

Retail Sales (EU) (10:00)

Unemployment Rate (US) (13:30)

AGMS

B90 Holdings NPV, Schroder UK Public Private Trust

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

PMI Construction (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Admiral Group, Bodycote, Croda International, Curtis Banks Group, Derwent London, Empresaria Group, FDM Group (Holdings), Lancashire Holdings Limited, North American Income Trust (The), Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ltd., Porvair, Reach, Robert Walters, Serco Group, SThree, Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund Ltd