Thursday preview: Euro area CPI, Haleon in the spotlight

At 1000 GMT, Eurostat was to release its preliminary estimate for the euro area's CPI in February with recent national data out of the likes of France and Spain having led some analysts to surmise that there were upside risks to the consensus forecast.

Before those French and Spanish data were released, economists were anticipating a drop in the annual rate of headline inflation from 8.6% for January to 8.1% in February.

The year-on-year rate of increase in core CPI meanwhile was expected to be unchanged at 5.3%.

But the US wouldn't be far from investors minds either with the latest weekly readings on initial and secondary unemployment claims due out at 1330 GMT.

Later in the session, at 1900 GMT, Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller was due to deliver a speech on the economic outlook.

No major economic reports were scheduled for release in the UK.

For Haleon's full-year 2022 results, Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK believed that the third quarter drop in margins and whether it has reversed would be a "key" area of focus for investors, as well as the company's guidance.

Thursday 02 March

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Ashmore Group, Berkeley Group Holdings (The), City of London Investment Group, Diageo, Genus, Hargreaves Lansdown, Harmony Energy Income Trust, Hays, MJ Gleeson , Molten Ventures VCT , Ruffer Investment Company Ltd Red PTG Pref Shares, Wilmington

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Diversified Energy Company , Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust, HICL Infrastructure , Pollen Street, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, Regional REIT Limited

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Unemployment Rate (EU) (10:00)

FINALS

Alfa Financial Software Holdings , Alfa Financial Software Holdings , Beazley, Cairn Homes (CDI), Cairn Homes (CDI), Cairn Homes (CDI), Capita, Capita, Capital & Regional, Coats Group, CRH (CDI), Flutter Entertainment (CDI), Grafton Group Ut (CDI), Hunting, ITV, ITV, London Stock Exchange Group, Melrose Industries, National Express Group, PPHE Hotel Group Ltd, Schroders, Spire Healthcare Group, Synthomer, Taylor Wimpey, Tritax Big Box Reit , Tyman

ANNUAL REPORT

PPHE Hotel Group Ltd, Schroders

EGMS

Global Ports Investments GDR (REG S)

AGMS

Chenavari Toro Income Fund Limited NPV, Victorian Plumbing Group

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Compass Group, Watkin Jones

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Aviva 8 3/8% Cumulative Irrd Preference 1, Bristol Water 'A' 8 3/4% Cum Irrd Prf, Capital & Counties Properties , Driver Group, General Accident (Prf), Henry Boot Prf, Keystone Positive Change Investment Trust 5% Cumulative Preference 1, Northern Electricity Prf, Rights & Issues Investment Trust , S and U 6% Cumulative Prf. £1, Safestore Holdings, Scottish American Inv Company, Tharisa (DI)