Wednesday preview: China CPI, Fed's Powell in focus

Financial markets' focus in the middle of the week will shift to readings for consumer price inflation from around the world and speeches from the heads of several of the world's main central banks.

Of key importance in that regard will be a reading on Chinese consumer prices due out overnight.

The consensus forecast is for a dip in the annualised rate of CPI from 0.2% for December to -0.1% in January.

Data for factory gate prices on the other hand are expected to reveal a pick-up in price pressures from -0.4% to 0.3%, despite the recent strengthening in the yuan.

A positive reading for producer prices would mark the first increase in the series in a year.

Stateside meanwhile the year-on-year rate of headline CPI was expected to edged up from 1.3% for December to 1.5% in January.

Investors will also be keeping close tabs on speeches from European Central Bank chief, Christine Lagarde, at 1300 GMT, followed others from Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, at 1700 GMT, and the Federal Reserve's Jerome Powell at 1900 GMT.

For fund manager Ashmore's first half, UBS analyst Michael Werner had penciled-in a 15% drop in annual revenues to £151m.

That put him 3% ahead of the consensus.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation were pegged at £103m, down 16% on the comparable year ago period.

On a per share basis however, earnings were seen at 12.9p, which was 1% below consensus.

Having already disclosed data for its assets under management during the half, Werner expected investors' focus to be on any commentary regarding the strength of flows since year-end.

Wednesday 10 February

INTERIMS

Ashmore Group, Avingtrans, Dunelm Group

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Consumer Price Index (US) (13:30)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

Q4

Lancashire Holdings Limited

FINALS

Smurfit Kappa Group

ANNUAL REPORT

PCF Group

EGMS

Glenveagh Properties, Hibernia Reit

AGMS

Catalyst Media Group, Future, GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd, Grainger, Income & Growth VCT , Keystone Inv Trust, Ramsdens Holdings , RWS Holdings, Tharisa (DI)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Brewin Dolphin Holdings