Week ahead: China activity data, US retail sales in the spotlight

Investors will be asked to digest a steady stream of economic data over the coming week with data releases in the US possibly having to vie with those out of China for their attention this time around.

First out will be a barrage of economic activity indicators in China covering fixed asset investment, industrial production and retail sales during the month of July, all on Monday.

Barring surprises, the monthly US retail sales report will be the other main focus (consensus: 0.1%) of the week, alongside readings on the Philly Fed's regional factory sector index for August and weekly jobless claims figures due out on Thursday.

US housing starts and existing home sales data on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, also warrant following.

Against that backdrop, the minutes of the US central bank's most recent policy meeting, also on Wednesday, will be scrutinised for insights into the central bank's thinking.

In the UK, Tuesday will bring with it the June employment report, followed by the Consumer Price Index for July on the next day and another for retail sales in July on Friday.

Further afield, rate-setters in New Zealand will meet on Wednesday to decide on interest rates.

Monday 15 August

INTERIMS

MTI Wireless Edge Ltd., Thungela Resources Limited NPV (DI)

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Marsh & Mclennan Cos Inc.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wholesale Price Index (GER) (07:00)

AGMS

Downing One VCT , Forward Partners Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

RICS Housing Market Survey (00:01)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Mountview Estates

Tuesday 16 August

INTERIMS

Impact Healthcare Reit , Tremor International LTD (DI), Tribal Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Dewhurst Group, Dewhurst Group 'A'NON.VTG

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Coventry 12 1/8% Perm Int Bearing Shs #1000

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (EU) (10:00)

Building Permits (US) (13:30)

Capacity Utilisation (US) (14:15)

Housing Starts (US) (13:30)

Industrial Production (US) (14:15)

ZEW Survey (EU) - Economic Sentiment (10:00)

ZEW Survey (GER) - Current Situation (10:00)

ZEW Survey (GER) - Economic Sentiment (10:00)

Q2

Bank of Georgia Group

FINALS

BHP Group Limited NPV (DI)

AGMS

RUA Life Sciences

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Softline Holding GDR (REG S) , Watches of Switzerland Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Claimant Count Rate (07:00)

Unemployment Rate (07:00)

Wednesday 17 August

INTERIMS

Balfour Beatty, Essentra, Kenmare Resources (CDI), Persimmon, Plus500 Ltd (DI)

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Shoe Zone

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

British American Tobacco, M Winkworth

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Business Inventories (US) (15:00)

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

GDP (Preliminary) (EU) (10:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

Retail Sales (US) (13:30)

Retail Sales Less Autos (US) (13:30)

FINALS

Libertine Holdings

AGMS

Calnex Solutions , NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gem Diamonds Ltd. (DI)

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (07:00)

Producer Price Index (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

National Grid, Northern 3 VCT

Thursday 18 August

INTERIMS

Helios Towers , Intelligent Ultrasound Group

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

4Imprint Group, Abrdn , Anglo American, Aviva, Berkeley Group Holdings (The), Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) , Chemring Group, Conduit Holdings Limited Com Shs (DI), DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited (Bermuda Regd), DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited (Jersey Reg), DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited (Sing.Reg), Entain, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Hongkong Land Holding Ltd. (Bermuda), Hongkong Land Holding Ltd. (Jersey), Hongkong Land Holding Ltd. (Sing.Reg), HSBC Holdings, Ibstock , Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd (Singapore Reg), Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda), Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. (Jersey), Just Group, Keller Group, Legal & General Group, London Stock Exchange Group, M&G, Mincon Group (CDI), Rotala, Rotork, Sabre Insurance Group, TI Fluid Systems

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

BlackRock Sustainable American Income Trust, Chenavari Toro Income Fund Limited NPV, GSK, NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, Tritax Eurobox (EUR), Tritax Eurobox (GBP)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Philadelphia Fed Index (US) (13:30)

FINALS

ECO Animal Health Group, Rank Group

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Scottish Inv Trust, UK Commercial Property Reit Limited

AGMS

Molten Ventures VCT , Oryx International Growth Fund Ltd., SIMEC Atlantis Energy Limited (DI)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Halma, Marks Electrical Group, Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Baillie Gifford UK Growth Trust, Eneraqua Technologies, Foresight Group Holdings Limited NPV, New Century AIM VCT

Friday 19 August

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Independent Inv Trust

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

JPMorgan Japan Small Cap Growth & Income, Primary Health Properties, SME Credit Realisation Fund Limited NPV

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Current Account (EU) (09:00)

Producer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

AGMS

Braemar Shipping Services, Citius Resources, Volex

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)

Retail Price Index (07:00)

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Castings, CML Microsystems, FirstGroup, Northern 2 VCT, STM Group, Triad Group