Thursday preview: Bank of England, US jobless data in the spotlight

Investors' attention on Thursday would be on the Bank of England.

The Monetary Policy Committee was widely anticipated to raise Bank Rate by another 25 basis points to 4.75%.

However, on the back of recent disappointing consumer price data, financial markets had moved to discount a 6.0% terminal rate and investors would be looking to see if the policymakers endorsed that pricing.

Another key point of focus would be the latest weekly unemployment claims data in the US.

Against that backdrop, rate-setters in Switzerland and Norway were scheduled to announce their own policy decisions, at 0830 BST and 0900 BST respectively.

And at least four top Fed officials were to take to the podium to deliver speeches, starting with Governor Chris Waller at 0900 BST.

Also due out in the US were existing home sales data for May at 1500 BST and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's factory sector index at 1600 BST.

Thursday 22 June

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Barings Emerging Emea Opportunities , Gooch & Housego, Maven Income and Growth VCT 5

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust, Duke Royalty Limited, Mercantile Investment Trust (The), Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Limited NPV

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Current Account (US) (13:30)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

FINALS

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited NPV, First Property Group, Manolete Partners, Mulberry Group, Urban Logistics Reit, Volex, XPS Pensions Group

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Hurricane Energy

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Castings, Personal Assets Trust, Rurelec

AGMS

Alphawave IP Group , Angling Direct , Anglo Asian Mining, Boohoo Group, Braime Group, Card Factory, Ergomed , Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd., Futura Medical, Grand Vision Media Holdings , LongBoat Energy , Pathfinder Minerals , Robinson, Sanderson Design Group, Team17 Group, Tekcapital, Trellus Health, Whitbread

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

BoE Interest Rate Decision (12:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Cenkos Securities, Gamma Communications, IP Group, NEWCASTLE 10 3/4% PERM INT BEARING SHS #1000

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

3i Group, Airtel Africa , Alliance Pharma, Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust , British Land Company, Discoverie Group, Flowtech Fluidpower, Fuller Smith & Turner, GB Group, Helical, Learning Technologies Group , Medica Group , Mitie Group, RWS Holdings, Tate & Lyle, Templeton Emerging Markets Inv Trust, Tribal Group, United Utilities Group, VP