Wednesday preview: Employment report in focus

The employment report for October was expected to be the focus of trading, barring surprises from overseas.

Economists at Barclays Research expected jobless claims would increase by just 500, while the unemployment rate for the three months to September was expected to print at 4.9%.

In parallel, average weekly earnings were seen accelerating to a 2.5% year-on-year pace over the three months to September, from 2.3%, although the rate of growth in 'core' earnings was seen dipping from 2.3% to 2.2%.

It was expected to be a quiet day in the euro area, with no major economic reports scheduled for release.

However, in the States investors would likely still be closely monitoring everything coming out of Capitol Hill.

On the economic calendar in the US, industrial production and factory gate prices referencing the month of October were due to be published.

Investors would also be keeping tabs on remarks from another three Fed speakers who were expected to take to the podium.

Meantime, and on the corporate front, Tesco's Capital Markets Day was likely to be the highlight of the day, alongside the latest financials from British Land, Barratt Developments, Fenner and ICAP.

In its most recent trading statement, the company said it expected "some occupiers and investors to take a more cautious approach" but it was in a good position to continue delivering value.

Analysts at Numis forecast the company would post interim earnings per share of 18.0p and net asset value per share of 879p.

Wednesday 16 November

INTERIMS
British Land Company, HICL Infrastructure Company Ltd, Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Ltd, Speedy Hire

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
InterQuest Group

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)
Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)
Producer Price Index (US) (13:30)
Q3
MHP SA GDR (Reg S), New World Resources A Shares

FINALS
AB Dynamics, Avon Rubber, Fenner

IMSS
Barratt Developments

AGMS
Barratt Developments, Celtic, Henderson EuroTrust, JPMorgan Emerging Markets Inv Trust, Vast Resources

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Barratt Developments

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Claimant Count Rate (09:30)
Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Strategic Equity Capital