Week ahead: US jobs report, China factory surveys in focus
The new year will start much as 2018 ended, with the US economy in focus.
In particular, investors are waiting on Friday's monthly non-farm payrolls report covering the month of December.
Quite important as well for financial markets will be the outcome talks on Capitol Hill aimed at putting an end to the federal government shutdown.
Further afield, in China, on Wednesday IHS Markit is due to release its closely-followed survey of factory sector conditions in the Asian giant.
Any fresh headlines on the ongoing trade talks between Washington and Beijing will also be closely watched.
Indeed, for economists at Barclays Research it is the outcome of those that will shape the global economic outlook in 2019.
Back in the UK, the spotlight will be on manufacturing and services sector surveys, also from Markit, which are due on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Comparable survey results for the euro area are scheduled to be published in parallel, alongside a preliminary reading on consumer prices for December.
Monday December 31
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Helical
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Albion Technology & General VCT, F&C Commercial Property Trust Ltd., HICL Infrastructure Company Ltd, MedicX Fund Ltd., Raven Property Group 6.5% Red Cnv Pref Shs NPV, Raven Property Group Limited Cum Red Pref
GMS
Chaarat Gold Holdings Ltd. (DI)
ANNUAL REPORT
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust
AGMS
Genedrive , Leaf Clean Energy Co (DI), Secure Property Development & Investment (DI), Tetragon Financial Group Limited
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Aviva 8 3/4% Cumulative Irrd Preference 1, Brunner Investment 5% Prf, Ecclesiastical Insurance 8.625% Non-Cum Irr Pref Shares
Tuesday January 01
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Balfour Beatty Cum Cnv Red Prf , General Accident 'A'
Wednesday January 02
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Bunzl, Castings, Fuller Smith & Turner, Great Portland Estates, Headlam Group, Next, TR Property Inv Trust
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)
Thursday January 03
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
De La Rue, Hill & Smith Holdings, Mckay Securities, Rolls-Royce Holdings
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Aberdeen New Dawn Investment Trust, Auto Trader Group , Aveva Group, Bisichi Mining, BMO Global Smaller Companies, Dairy Crest Group, Hibernia Reit , Latham (James), Northern 2 VCT, Northern 3 VCT, PHSC, United Carpets Group
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Anglo Pacific Group, BMO UK High Income Trust , British Land Company
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Auto Sales (US) (20:30)
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
ISM Manufacturing (US) (15:00)
M3 Money Supply (EU) (08:00)
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)
PMI Composite (EU) (09:00)
PMI Manufacturing (EU) (09:00)
PMI Services (EU) (09:00)
SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Abbey, Blackrock Frontiers Investment Trust, BMO UK High Income Trust B Shares, LXB Retail Properties, Ranger Direct Lending Fund
AGMS
PCG Entertainment (DI), Wishbone Gold
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next, Staffline Group
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
BBA Aviation 5% Cum Prf, Blackrock Frontiers Investment Trust, Cerillion , Character Group, European Investment Trust, ITE Group, Lowland Investment Co, McCarthy & Stone, Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund, Up Global Sourcing Holdings
Friday January 04
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Biffa, JD Sports Fashion, Liontrust Asset Management, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, MS International, Renewi , Severn Trent, Tate & Lyle, Ten Entertainment Group , ULS Technology
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Blackrock North American Income Trust , Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Non-Farm Payrolls (US) (13:30)
PMI Composite (GER) (08:30)
PMI Manufacturing (GER) (08:30)
PMI Services (GER) (08:30)
Producer Price Index (EU) (10:00)
Unemployment Rate (GER) (08:55)
Unemployment Rate (US) (12:30)
EGMS
Aminex
AGMS
Cambria Automobiles, Craven House Capital
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Johnson Service Group
UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
PMI Services (09:30)
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
British Empire Trust, Town Centre Securities