Friday preview: G20 finance ministers' meeting, Investec in focus
Investors will head into the weekend with the G-20 meeting of finance ministers in Germany in focus.
The gathering at the famous German resort town of Baden-Baden would also mark the first foray by the new US Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, on the world stage.
Free trade and manipulation of foreign exchange markets is expected to be figure high on the agenda following recent and sometimes bitter criticism of both from Washington.
US data was also expected to come in thick and fast, with data on industrial production and the University of Michigan gauge of consumer confidence figuring prominently.
A weekly tally of the US oil rig count late in the Wall Street session might also make some waves.
On the corporate side of things, Investec was due to update markets on recent trading, with analysts at Numis expecting the South African outfit to report a continued decline in back book asets.
However, underlying credit quality was expected to remain robust with strong underlying loan book growth - assisted by FX - and net inflows on both sides of the business, wealth and asset management.
"Overall we expect a significant increase in group profit through the second half of the year and this coupled with strong loan book growth bodes well for next year."
Friday 17 March
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Aberdeen Private Equity Fund Ltd. Sterling Part Shares, Ashley (Laura) Holding, City of London Investment Group, Motorpoint Group, SSE
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Carnival, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, SQN Asset Finance Income Fund Limited
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Capacity Utilisation (US) (13:15)
Industrial Production (US) (13:15)
U. of Michigan Confidence (Prelim) (US) (14:00)
FINALS
React Group
AGMS
Chemring Group, LG Electronics Inc GDS (Reg S), Premier African Minerals Ltd, Toro Limited
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Avon Rubber, easyJet, Impax Asset Management Group, Mobeus Income & Growth 4 Vct, Sanderson Group, Zegona Communications