Wednesday preview: US CPI, Fed speak in the spotlight

Investors were expectant ahead of the week's big event, the release of the US Consumer Price Index for the month of March.

Economists were anticipating a drop in the annual rate of CPI increases from 6.0% to 5.2%.

At the core level, CPI was expected to have edged up from 5.5% to 5.6%.

The Department of Labor was to release those figures at 1330 GMT.

Also due out later in the day, at 1800 GMT, were the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last rate-setting meeting.

At least two top Fed officials were also scheduled to take to the podium overnight, including Minneapolis Fed boss, Neel Kashkari, and the Philly Fed's Patrick Harker.

They would be followed by Richmond Fed chief Thomas Barkin at 1400 GMT.

A policy announcement out of rate-setters at the Bank of Canada was also anticipated at 1500 GMT with the consensus being for no change in rates.

Wednesday 12 April

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Colefax Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Assura , Duke Royalty Limited

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Budget Statement (US) (19:00)

Consumer Price Index (US) (13:30)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

FINALS

Argentex Group , Crimson Tide, DP Eurasia N.V. (DI) , Everyman Media Group , LBG Media

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

System1 Group