Friday preview: Global PMIs, ECB's Lagarde in focus
Financial markets' focus at the end of the week will be on the release of a raft of surveys that will give investors a better handle on just how quickly economies are recovering as lockdowns are lifted and vaccines are rolled out.
But while manufacturing and services sector Purchasing Managers Indices for the UK and US are expected show that activity accelerated in April, in the euro area only the slightest pick up in growth is anticipated.
The UK PMIs will be released at 0930 BST, preceded by those for the euro area at 0900 BST.
Also due out on home shores, overnight, is a reading on consumer confidence, courtesy of consultancy GfK.
It will be followed at 0700 BST by readings for monthly retail sales and public sector net borrowing requirements in the UK.
To take note of as well, ECB chief, Christine Lagarde, is scheduled to speak at an event organised by Michael Bloomberg on capital markets and climate change.
Friday 23 April
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Henderson EuroTrust, JPMorgan Mid Cap Inv Trust, Thorpe (F.W.), TR European Growth Trust
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Standard Life Private Equity Trust
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Homes Sales (US) (15:00)
SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Alternative Liquidity Fund Limited
AGMS
BB Healthcare Trust (Red), Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI), Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Murray International Trust, O'Key Group GDR (Reg S) , PAO Novatek GDR (Reg S), Senior
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
DigitalBox, XPS Pensions Group
UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)
Retail Sales (07:00)
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Amino Technologies, Chemring Group, Globaldata