Tuesday preview: US-China trade talks and Ferguson in the spotlight

The focus on Tuesday will revert to the ongoing US-China trade talks following reports during the previous session that negotiations had stalled after Capitol Hill passed a bill into law that some in China saw as interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs.

Against that backdrop, rate-setters at the Reserve Bank of Australia are set to meet to decide on policy.

Nonetheless, the flow of data is otherwise expected to be quite light.

In the UK, the main economic report due for release is the British Retail Consortium's like-for-like retail sales figures for November, which are due out just past midnight.

They will be followed by IHS Markit's construction sector Purchasing Managers' Index for November, at 0930 GMT.

Across the Channel meanwhile, Spanish unemployment data for November are set for release at 0800 GMT, followed by a reading on euro area producer prices at 1000 GMT.

For plumbing and heating products specialist Ferguson's trading update, UBS's Gregor Kuglitsch is forecasting organic sales growth of 2.1% for total revenues of $5.68bn and a trading profit of $461.0m, with the latter including a $13.0m from the application of IFRS 16.

On an organic basis meanwhile, earnings before interest, taxes, and amortisation during the company's first fiscal quarter was seen 3.4% higher.

Organic growth in the States was pegged at up by 3.0% and its EBITA margins at 9.1%.

In a research note sent to clients, the same analyst also said that cost reductions should have helped the firm's earnings during the quarter.

Kuglitsch was also expecting an update on the company's listing structure, potential cost savings and as regards its outlook for growth in the States.

Tuesday December 03

INTERIMS

Collagen Solutions, Consort Medical, Falanx Group Ltd, Ramsdens Holdings , Solid State, Tekmar Group, ULS Technology

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

JPMorgan Claverhouse Inv Trust

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Schlumberger Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Auto Sales (US) (20:30)

Producer Price Index (EU) (10:00)

FINALS

Gooch & Housego, Hyve Group, Image Scan Holdings, Oxford Metrics

IMSS

Ferguson

AGMS

Falanx Group Ltd, Greatland Gold, Oleeo

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ferguson

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

PMI Construction (09:30)