Thursday preview: BoE, BoJ rate decisions in focus
The market spotlight on Thursday would be on the latest policy decisions out of the Bank of England and Bank of Japan (or perhaps the opposite).
Economists were widely anticipating that Bank would keep official short-term interest rates at 4.75%.
Eight of the Monetary Policy Committee's nine members were expected to hold rates with one member voting for an increase.
For their part, economists at Bank of America said their forecast was for a terminal rate of 3.50% to be reached in early 2026.
Before that, overnight the Bank of Japan was scheduled to announce its own decision.
BofA anticipated that the BoJ too would hold rates steady, yet while "unlikely" a rate hike could not be ruled out.
Stateside meanwhile, investors would be asked to digest a flurry of economic indicators, including the latest weekly jobless claims figures and the Philly Fed's regional factory sector index.
Thursday 19 December
INTERIMS
FIH Group
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
International Public Partnerships Ltd., Octopus Titan VCT
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Halma, JPMorgan European Discovery Trust, Mitie Group, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, MS International, NewRiver REIT, Northern 2 VCT, Northern 3 VCT, Northern Venture Trust, Octopus AIM VCT, Pharos Energy , ProVen Growth & Income VCT, ProVen VCT, Templeton Emerging Markets Inv Trust
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
British American Tobacco, Law Debenture Corp., Mercantile Investment Trust (The)
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Current Account (EU) (09:00)
Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)
GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)
GMS
Playtech
FINALS
Roadside Real Estate
SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Amati AIM Vct
AGMS
Avation, AVI Global Trust , BATM Advanced Communications Ltd., Boston International Holdings, Frontier IP Group, Mila Resources, Northamber, Plaza Centers NV, Renalytix (Reg S), Sabien Technology Group
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Time Finance
UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BoE Interest Rate Decision (12:00)
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Barings Emerging Emea Opportunities , Smart (J) & Co., Topps Tiles