Thursday preview: ECB, Ocado in focus

At its meeting, the European Central Bank's Governing Council is set to confirm the end of it bond purchase programme at year-end.

But investors are keen to see whether ECB chief Mario Draghi sounds a more cautious note than the last time around, especially as the central bank is also set to publish updated economic forecasts.

Stateside, readings on weekly initial unemployment claims and import price data for November are both set for release at 1330 GMT.

In the UK, the sole economic indicator due to be published is the RICS house price balance.

On the corporate side of things, Ocado's trading update is likely to garner a fair bit of attention with Numis's Andrew Wade expecting the online grocer to report 11% growth in retail sales, which would be just a touch less than the 11.5% clip observed over the thid quarter.

Indeed, Wade believed Retail growth was being hindered by a lack of capacity.

Wade sounded a 'bullish' note on the outlook for the company's shares ahead of the trading update, telling clients: "The shares have fallen back in recent months and we are not convinced that sufficient value is being ascribed to the embedded potential in the deals Ocado has already signed, let alone those still to come. We continue to see a significant long-term growth opportunity, and retain our positive stance."

Also due to update its shareholders is TUI AG.

According to UBS's Cristian Nedelcu, investors' attention will likely centre on the prospects for its 2019 REVPAR in Spain and the Caribbean within its Hotels division, the outlook for the UK market in its Tour Operator arm given the likelihood of capacity additions at Jet2 as well as easyJet and its contingency plans around Brexit.

Consensus is calling for full fiscal year 2018 EBITA after FX of £1,154m.

On a divisional basis, Nedelcu said he expected EBIT of €483m from Source markets (Northern region: €279m, Central region: €101m, Western region: €103m), another €398m in Hotels&Resorts, €305m in Cruises, €43m in Destination experiences and a -€85m from Others.

Thursday December 13

INTERIMS

Purplebricks Group, Rhythmone, Sports Direct International, Tungsten Corporation

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

3i Group, Avation, BCA Marketplace, Brown (N.) Group, Charles Stanley Group, Clipper Logistics , Halfords Group, JPMorgan Euro Small Co. Trust, Meikles Ltd., Michelmersh Brick Holdings, MS International, Northgate, Severfield, Sirius Real Estate Ltd., Speedy Hire, ULS Technology , Ventus 2 VCT, Ventus 2 VCT 'C' Shares, Ventus VCT, Ventus VCT 'C' Shares, Vianet Group

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Assura , F&C Commercial Property Trust Ltd., Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, XP Power Ltd. (DI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

ECB Interest Rate (EU) (12:45)

Import and Export Price Indices (US) (13:30)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

FINALS

IntegraFin Holding, TUI AG Reg Shs (DI)

ANNUAL REPORT

TUI AG Reg Shs (DI)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Alternative Liquidity Fund Limited

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Ferrexpo, Oxford Metrics

AGMS

Aberdeen Latin American Income Fund Ltd , Amur Minerals Corporation NPV, Bacanora Lithium, Chelverton Growth Trust, Fidelity Asian Values, Henderson Far East Income Ltd., JPMorgan Japanese Inv Trust, Maestrano Group, Nanoco Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Associated British Foods, Bunzl, Ocado Group, PZ Cussons, Serco Group

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aeorema Communications, Associated British Foods, Grainger, Henderson Alternative Strategies Trust , JPMorgan Chinese Inv Trust, Marston's, Numis Corporation, Orchard Funding Group , Oxford Metrics