Wednesday preview: Fed's Powell, Marks & Spencer in focus

Wednesday's session will see investors focus on central banks.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell will likely command the most attention, with the chairman set to deliver the opening remarks at a conference hosted at the central bank's Division of Research and Statistics, from 1415 GMT.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey was also due to deliver a speech, at 0930 GMT, while remarks were expected from at least six top officials at the European Central Bank.

They would be followed at 1830 GMT by the Bank of Canada which would publish its Summary of Deliberations.

Marks and Spencer is due to release its first half figures on Wednesday.

At the time of its full-year results presentation in May, management had raised the prospect of a return of the dividend in the current fiscal year.

It also upgraded its full-year forecasts.

However, it also warned about sales in its clothing and home sales segment, noted Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

"M&S indicated that a tightening consumer market could act as a headwind into the year end, and that is a risk as we head towards the end of 2023."

Wednesday 08 November

INTERIMS

Marks & Spencer Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Mobeus Income & Growth 2 Vct

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

Retail Sales (EU) (10:00)

Wholesales Inventories (US) (15:00)

GMS

Superdry

FINALS

Smiths News , Time Out Group

AGMS

JPMorgan Emerging Markets Inv Trust

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hiscox Limited (DI), ITV

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Manchester & London Investment Trust