Tuesday preview: ECB, US President's health in focus

The focus in financial markets on Tuesday will shift towards the European Central Bank as two of its top officials take to the podium to explain monetary policy.

First up will be the central bank's chief Christine Lagarde, at 0935 BST, who is scheduled to participate in the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Summit.

She will be followed by the ECB's chief economist, Philip Lane, at 1630 BST, who will speak at the 62nd annual meeting of the US National Association of Business Economists.

However, traders will also be keeping a close eye on the headlines out around the health of the US President, Donald Trump.

In the UK, and leaving Brexit to one side for the moment, IHS Markit will publish its Purchasing Managers' Index for the country's construction sector at 0930 BST.

Down Under meanwhile, rate-setters will be meeting to decide on interest rates.

6 October

Finals

Smartspace Software, YouGov, Target Healthcare Reit Ltd

Interims

Harworth Group, Smartspace Software, Inspiration Healthcare Group

AGMs

Cake Box Holdings

Annual report

Hansard Global

Interim Dividend Payment Date

Holders Technology, Rathbone Brothers

UK Economic Announcements

Retail Sales (00:01)

PMI Construction (09:30)

International Economic Announcements

Factory Orders (GER) (07:00)

Balance of Trade (US) (13:30)