Thursday preview: US data, Avast in focus

Investors' attention will continue to be on the US economy and in particular on its jobs markets.

The latest weekly initial jobless claims figures are expected to reveal a decline in the number of newly unemployed from 6.61m one week before to 4.5m.

Also due out is the Philly Fed's closely-followed regional manufacturing sector gauge for April, which is expected to decline from a reading of -12.7 for March to -25.0.

No major economic releases are scheduled in the euro area.

Avast is among the corporates that are due to update financial markets on Thursday.

Analysts at UBS are expecting a comprehensive update from the cyber-security software maker, including on the impact of Covid-19, investments to improve its platform and a timetable for new product launches.

The Swiss broker had also penciled-in a 6% jump for underlying growth in continuing revenues in the first quarter to reach $212m.

To take note of, its would be the first update from the Czech-based company since it decided to shut down its highly controversial Jumpshot which had allegedly gathered user data - without informing its customers - and then sold it to third parties reportedly including the likes of Microsoft, Google, Pepsi and Home Depot.

Thursday 16 April

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Craneware, National Westminster 9%pf

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Hunting, Northamber

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Ediston Property Investment Company

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Building Permits (US) (13:30)

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Housing Starts (US) (13:30)

Industrial Production (EU) (10:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (13:30)

FINALS

Learning Technologies Group

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

River and Mercantile Group

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

M&G, RDL Realisation

AGMS

Amino Technologies, Chenavari Capital Solutions Limited Red, China New Energy Limited, Global Ports Investments GDR (REG S), Verona Pharma

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hays, Norcros, Rentokil Initial

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Retail Sales (00:01)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Athelney Trust, Law Debenture Corp., Rio Tinto

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Capital & Counties Properties , Croda International, Equiniti Group , Hastings Group Holdings , Kenmare Resources, Kerry Group 'A' Shares, M&G, Reckitt Benckiser Group, Rockrose Energy, Smurfit Kappa Group, St James's Place