Wednesday preview: US existing home sales, UK public sector borrowing in focus

Investors' focus in the middle of the week would continue to be on the US housing market.

Existing home sales data for November were due out at 1000 GMT with third quarter current account deficit figures set to follow at 1330 GMT and the Conference Board's consumer confidence index for December at 1500 GMT.

On home shores, financial markets' attention would be on public sector borrowing data for November, at 0700 GMT, and the Confederation of British Industry's Distributive Trades survey for December at 1100 GMT.

In the euro area meanwhile, before the market open, consultancy GfK was to publish its consumer confidence index for Germany covering the month of January.

Over in Asia, rate-setters in Indonesia were expected to announce a 25 basis point hike in official interest rates to 5.50%.

Wednesday 21 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, iEnergizer Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Confidence (US) (15:00)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

Current Account (US) (13:30)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

AGMS

7Digital Group , BATM Advanced Communications Ltd., DotDigital Group, Etalon Group GDR (Reg S), Northamber

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Baillie Gifford Japan Trust, Finsbury Food Group, London Finance & Investment Group, Shaftesbury