Tuesday preview: BoJ, ABF in the spotlight

Tuesday's market spotlight will be on the Bank of Japan.

Rate-setters in Tokyo are widely expected to stay put on policy, with the latest economic data "lending support to the idea that there is no rush to raise rates out of negative territory," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

In the U.S. meanwhile, investors would likely be focused on the televised debate in New Hampshire between the two remaining candidates to the Republican presidential nomination.

Also due out were preliminary results for manufacturing and services sector purchasing managers' surveys for the euro area, UK, and U.S. covering the month of January.

On the corporate agenda, Associated British Foods is scheduled to publish its first quarter results.

The Primark owner's shares had lost some momentum over the preceding few weeks, Hewson noted, amid worries that much of the good news might already be discounted in its price.

At the time of its full-year numbers, in November, ABF guided towards an increase in operating margins to over 10% in 2024 as inflation eased.

That was in conjunction to the announcement of a further £500m and a special dividend of 12.7p per share.

Tuesday 22 January

FINALS

Crest Nicholson Holdings, Watkin Jones

EGMS

SDIC Power Holdings Co.,Ltd GDR (Reg S)

AGMS

C4X Discovery Holdings , Goldplat, Marston's, Mitchells & Butlers

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Associated British Foods, Premier Foods

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)