Friday preview: Ukraine-Russia talks, J.D. Wetherspoon in the spotlight

Investors' focus at the end of the week will continue to be on the headlines coming out peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Against that backdrop, the Conference Board Institute will publish its index of leading economic indicators for the US in February, at 1400 GMT.

In parallel, the Department of Commerce will release existing home sales figures for that same month.

Speeches by Richmond Fed President, Tom Barkin, and Fed Governor, Michele Bowman will also be carefully parsed for their views on monetary policy.

Across the Channel meanwhile, the sole economic release of note will be that covering euro area foreign trade in January, which is due out at 1100 GMT.

On the corporate side of things, JD Wetherspoon will post its first half numbers, having recently guided towards a loss on the back of the Plan B Covid restrictions put in place by Downing Street.

Nevertheless, the pub operator's boss had also recently expressed confidence in the outlook for the back half of the year, once all restrictions were removed and warmer weather arrived.

Over just the last few days, the shares had plumbed a 23-month low due to worries over the impact that higher energy prices might have on its margins, Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, explained.

Wetherspoon announced a 40% drop in sales to £772.6m in 2021, which was down from £1.26bn in 2020 and £1.8bn in 2022.

Friday 18 March

INTERIMS

Wetherspoon (J.D.)

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD), Vaalco Energy, Inc (DI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (EU) (10:00)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

FINALS

Contour Global , Eurocell , Zhejiang Expressway Co 'H' Shares

ANNUAL REPORT

Intertek Group

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Dunelm Group, SLF Realisation Fund Limited C Shs NPV, SLF Realisation Fund Limited NPV

AGMS

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, Caracal Gold, Chenavari Toro Income Fund Limited NPV

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Investec

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Zytronic