Wednesday preview: US jobs, German CPI in the spotlight

Investors' focus in the middle of the week will be on the US jobs market as consultancy ADP releases its monthly survey data.

Analysts are forecasting a dip in private sector sector payrolls from a 475,000 pace in February to 425,000.

Across the Channel meanwhile, the market spotlight will be on preliminary consumer price data out of Germany.

Consensus is for the year-on-year rate of increase in harmonised CPI to pick up from 5.5% to 6.6%.

Also due out are surveys for euro area consumer and industrial confidence in March and an inflation report in Spain.

European Central Bank president, Christine Lagarde, is also due to deliver a speech at 0900 GMT.

No major economic releases are scheduled in the UK.

Further afield, rate-setters in Thailand are due to meet to decide on policy.

Wednesday 30 March

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Ashmore Group, Beazley

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Yamana Gold Inc. NPV (CDI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

Import Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)

FINALS

Equals Group , Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd Com Shs (DI), Michelmersh Brick Holdings, Next, Strix Group , Team17 Group

AGMS

Brunner Inv Trust, MediaZest, Oxford Biodynamics , Power Metal Resources

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Electrocomponents

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRC Shop Price Index (00:01)

M4 Money Supply (08:30)

Mortgage Approvals (08:30)

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Mitsubhi Electric Corp.