Friday preview: Central bank speakers in focus

Another frenetic week for investors who were trying to decipher what the results of the US election meant for them was set to come to a close with a whimper - barring unexpected surprises.

No major data releases were scheduled to be published the next day in any of the main geographies, leaving the field wide open for central bank speakers from the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank as markets headed into the Thanksgiving week Stateside.

Two Fed speakers were expected to take to the podium, the presidents of the Federal Reserve banks of St.Louis and Kansas City, together with another speech from ECB president Mario Draghi himself.

In terms of data, the main releases would be the latest figures on corporate goods prices and services sector activity in Japan referencing the months of October and September, respectively.

On the corporate agenda, a few firms were expected to update shareholders, including Electrocomponents.

Analysts at Numis expected the high-service distributor for engineers to post interim profits before tax of £54.1m for eps OF 8.3P.

The broker was particularly keen for further detail on the company´s plans regarding possible 'bolt-on' acquisitions.

Kier Group´s AGM might also be a talking-point in markets.

Friday 18 November

INTERIMS
Alpha Real Trust Ltd., Electrocomponents, Fuller Smith & Turner, Record

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Bovis Homes Group, Hansteen Holdings, Harvey Nash Group, Howden Joinery Group, Kerry Group 'A' Shares, Konami Holdings Corporation, M&C Saatchi, Menzies(John), Morses Club , Saga , TLA Worldwide , Walker Greenbank

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Current Account (EU) (09:00)
Producer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Arbuthnot Banking Group, TMT Investments

EGMS
VinaLand Ltd, VinaLand ZDP Ltd

AGMS
Crystal Amber Fund Ltd., Eagle Eye Solutions Group, European Metals Holding Limited (DI), Kier Group, Sylvania Platinum Ltd (DI), VinaLand Ltd, VinaLand ZDP Ltd

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Dechra Pharmaceuticals, Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT, Foresight Solar & Infrastructure VCT , New Star Investment Trust, Smiths Group, Wilmington