Thursday preview: US labour market, UK GDP in focus

Financial markets' focus on Thursday will be on the latest US weekly jobless claims figures.

The data are typically hard to read over the Christmas holidays due to difficulties with their seasonal adjustment.

Nonetheless, going forwards the strength of the labour market is expected by some to be the key variable to watch.

Also due out are final readings for third quarter gross domestic product growth, both in the States and in the UK.

No major data releases are scheduled in the euro area.

Thursday 22 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

British American Inv Trust, NEWCASTLE 10 3/4% PERM INT BEARING SHS #1000, Octopus Titan VCT

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Alliance Pharma, Halma, JPMorgan European Discovery Trust, PHSC, United Utilities Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock World Mining Trust, Vaalco Energy, Inc (DI)

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aberdeen Diversified Income and Growth Trust , Abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust, British American Tobacco, Duke Royalty Limited, Law Debenture Corp., Mercantile Investment Trust (The)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Gross Domestic Product (US) (13:30)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

New Homes Sales (US) (15:00)

Personal Consumption (US) (13:30)

EGMS

Zhejiang Expressway Co 'H' Shares

AGMS

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. GDR, Gulf Investment Fund, Solgold

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Current Account (06:00)

Gross Domestic Product (07:00)

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aeorema Communications, Britvic, JPMorgan Japanese Inv Trust, Orchard Funding Group , Smart (J) & Co., Topps Tiles