Wednesday preview: Economic data in focus

Economic data is set to dominate Wednesday’s agenda as corporate earnings are scarce.

UK public borrowing figures will be released in morning trade. Analysts expect public sector net borrowing rose to £11.6bn in November from £4.3bn the previous month.

In afternoon trade, US data on existing home sales will be published. Existing home sale are forecast to have fallen 1.8% to 5.50m units.

US weekly crude inventories data from the Energy Information Administration is also published in the afternoon, with traders hoping for a decline amid worries about the global supply glut and OPEC’s deal to try to curb production.

There is little else on the calendar as the market winds down ahead of the Christmas break.

Wednesday 21 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Investec

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
UIL Limited (DI)

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Total SA

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)
Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Canadian General Investments Ltd.

EGMS
Bank Audi S.A.L. GDR (Repr 1'Com'Shr Lbp1650)(Reg S)

AGMS
Minds + Machines Group Limited (DI), Syqic, Uranium Resources, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd.

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Public Power GDR SA (Reg S)

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nationwide House Price Index (07:00)
Public Sector Net Borrowing (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Smart (J) & Co.