Wednesday preview: US data, JD Sports in focus

Investors' attention on Wednesday will be on the US economy as the first hard data for the month of March are released.

Included among those reports are readings on industrial production and retail sales, with the Federal Reserve's Beige Book set to follow in the evening.

Across the Channel, the most noteworthy releases would be on final readings for harmonised consumer prices in France and Italy for that same month.

No major economic releases were scheduled in the UK.

On the corporate side of things, the retail sector will be in focus as JD Sports reports its full-year numbers.

Analysts are anticipating revenues of £5.96bn and gross profits of £2.8bn, but such a performance will be "hugely difficult" to replicate over the coming financial year, said Michael Hewson at CMC Markets UK.

Government's decision to suspend business rates would help, but the Covid-19 pandemic had forced the closure of all physical stores in the UK, Europe and US.

And then there was the Competition and Markets Authority's ongoing probe into its acquisition of FootAsylum.

Wednesday 15 April

INTERIMS

Carr's Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Assura

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

FINALS

JD Sports Fashion

ANNUAL REPORT

Global Invacom Group Limited (DI), Pacific Assets Trust

EGMS

Etalon Group GDR (Reg S)

AGMS

Bunzl, Canadian General Investments Ltd., Diversified Gas & Oil, Heavitree Brewery, Hunting

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hunting