Week ahead: US jobs report, global manufacturing PMIs in focus

Investors would be well advised to get some rest over the Easter break, as they will be greeted by an avalanche of first-tier economic data from around the globe upon their return.

In the UK, the heaviest day for releases will be Thursday, with figures on fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product, monthly mortgage approvals, money supply and the current account balance (deficit) are all set for release.

Previously, on Tuesday, British lenders would find out whether the Old Lady on Threadneedle Street wants them to start building up additional capital buffers to guard against the potential risks that might arise from looser lending.

Of course, in the end the week’s main event is still expected to be the March US non-farm payrolls report.

In the Eurozone, a slate of manufacturing sector purchasing managers’ indices out of the euro area will also be worth watching for any signs of improvement on the heels of the European Central Bank’s latest stimulus measures.

Previously, on Wednesday, the European Commission will release its own industrial and consumer confidence survey referencing the month of March.

Chinese manufacturing and service sector PMIs are also due to be published first thing on Friday morning.

Monday 28 March

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Ibex Global Solutions

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pending Homes Sales (US) (14:00)
Personal Income (US) (12:30)
Personal Spending (US) (12:30)

ANNUAL REPORT
Afarak Group (DI)

AGMS
Turkiye is Bankasi A.S GDR C Shs (Reg S)

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Devro, Meggitt, Wynnstay Group

Tuesday 29 March

INTERIMS
Artilium

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Mountview Estates

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Brunner Inv Trust, Royal Dutch Shell 'A', Royal Dutch Shell 'B'

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Consumer Confidence (US) (14:00)
M3 Money Supply (EU) (10:00)
Retail Sales (GER) (06:00)
Unemployment Rate (GER) (07:55)

FINALS
Barr (A.G.), Public Power GDR SA (Reg S), SpaceandPeople

AGMS
Entu (UK) , MCB Bank Ltd GDR (Reg S), Quartix Holdings

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Jersey Electricity 'A' Shares, Ranger Direct Lending Fund

Wednesday 30 March

INTERIMS
CAP-XX Limited, Diurnal Group, Sinclair Pharma

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Darty, Genus

FINALS
Akers Biosciences, Inc. , Avengardco Investments Public Ltd GDR, Biome Technologies, Cathay International Holdings Ltd., Circle Holdings , Learning Technologies Group , London Capital Group Holdings, Manx Telecom , Personal Group Holdings, XLMedia

ANNUAL REPORT
Nichols

EGMS
Canadian General Investments Ltd., Edita Food Industries S.A.E. GDR (REGS)

AGMS
Aukett Swanke Group , Edita Food Industries S.A.E. GDR (REGS), Local Shopping REIT, Milestone Group, Non-Standard Finance, Sula Iron & Gold, Temple Bar Inv Trust

Thursday 31 March

INTERIMS
James Halstead

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
BHP Billiton, Hansard Global, Hargreaves Lansdown, Independent Inv Trust, Journey Group, Redrow

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Finsbury Food Group, Origin Enterprises, Smith (DS), Softcat, Volution Group (WI), Wolseley

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Custodian Reit , HICL Infrastructure Company Ltd, MedicX Fund Ltd., Premier Energy & Water Trust, Raven Russia Ltd. Cum Red Pref Shares, Real Estate Credit Investments PCC Ltd Pref Shs

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
British Land Company, Torchmark Corp.

FINALS
Chesnara, Globaltrans Investment GDR (Reg S), Hilton Food Group, Publishing Technology, Scisys, Sierra Rutile Ltd, Wireless Group

ANNUAL REPORT
Ferrexpo, Macfarlane Group

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Beazley, Panther Securities, Premier Energy & Water Trust

EGMS
DQ Entertainment, Global Telecom Holding S.A.E. GDR (Each Repr 5 Ord Egp5)(Reg S)

AGMS
African Potash Ltd, Be Heard Group, Keras Resources , Low & Bonar, W H Ireland Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Booker Group, CMC Markets , TUI AG Reg Shs (DI)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Aviva 8 3/8% Cumulative Irrd Preference 1, EP Global Opportunities Trust, ICBC Standard Bank, Imperial Brands , Northern Electricity Prf, Temple Bar Inv Trust

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
BrainJuicer Group, EMIS Group, Equiniti Group , Foreign and Colonial Inv Trust, InterContinental Hotels Group, Interserve, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, Lighthouse Group, Maven Income & Growth 3 VCT, Maven Income and Growth VCT 5, Miton Group, Moneysupermarket.com Group, Nichols, Old Mutual, Stadium Group

Friday 01 April

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Ashmore Group, Craneware, Mid Wynd International Inv Trust, Pennon Group, Persimmon, River and Mercantile Group , Tristel

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Aeorema Communications, River and Mercantile Group

EGMS
Alpha Real Trust Ltd.

AGMS
Elephant Capital, Lancashire Holdings Limited, XP Power Ltd. (DI)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Caledonia Investments, General Accident (Prf), LPA Group, MTI Wireless Edge Ltd., Octopus Eclipse VCT 1, St. Modwen Properties