Tuesday preview: Chinese activity data, Ocado in focus

Investors' attention on Tuesday will be on the People's Republic of China, where a raft of economic data are set for release.

They will include readings for fixed asset investment, industrial production and retail sales for the month of August in one of the world's main economies.

Against that backdrop, at 0700 BST, the Office for National Statistics will publish its employment report for July.

The ILO rate of unemployment is expected to remain low, rising from 3.9% in June to 4.1% for July, although average weekly earnings are also expected to remain under pressure, drifting lower by 1.2% versus a year ago.

Stateside, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will publish the results of its Empire State manufacturing sector survey for August.

Across the Channel, Germany's ZEW institute will release its economic confidence gauge for Germany covering the month of September.

On the corporate side of things, the market spotlight will be on Ocado's third quarter trading update.

Investors are likely to focus on the uptake for the company's new joint venture with Marks&Spencer.

At the weekend, the Mail on Sunday cited analysts at Credit Suisse according to whom the online food retailer was likely to report a roughly two thirds increase in sales for the past three months.

That, the Swiss broker said, could prove a big surprise for some in the City worried about the company's ability to meet the sharp jump in demand in the wake of the pandemic.

Tuesday 15 September

INTERIMS

Bango, Bonhill Group, Corero Network Security, Eve Sleep PLC, Good Energy Group, JTC, Marshalls, Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust , Polypipe Group , Smart Metering Systems, The Simplybiz Group, Trinity Exploration & Production, Vectura Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Newcastle 12 5/8% Perm Int Bearing Shs #1000, UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Canadian General Investments Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)

Import and Export Price Indices (US) (13:30)

Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

ZEW Survey (EU) - Economic Sentiment (10:00)

ZEW Survey (GER) - Current Situation (10:00)

ZEW Survey (GER) - Economic Sentiment (10:00)

FINALS

Diurnal Group

AGMS

Cohort, Downing One VCT , FirstGroup, Halfords Group, Henderson Diversified Income Ltd., SME Credit Realisation Fund Limited NPV, Wynnstay Properties

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ocado Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Claimant Count Rate (07:00)

Unemployment Rate (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust