Friday preview: UK/US consumer confidence surveys, IFO index in the spotlight

The market spotlight at the end of the week will be on some of the most timely surveys of consumer confidence on either side of the Pond.

Consultancy GfK's gauge is expected to have fallen further in March, to a reading of -30, as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis takes its toll on the British consumer.

That index will be followed by official retail sales data for February which are expected to reveal a 0.7% month-on-month rise.

Much the same is expected to have occurred in the US, where the University of Michigan will release the results of its own closely-followed survey of consumers, although the ongoing rally in stocks may have acted as a small offset.

On the Continent, business confidence survey results are due out in Italy, Belgium and Germany, including from the prestigious IFO institute in the case of the latter.

Friday 25 March

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

City of London Investment Group, Foresight Group Holdings Limited NPV, Heath (Samuel) & Sons, Mattioli Woods

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BP, Honeycomb Investment Trust, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd, RM Infrastructure Income, Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Limited NPV

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)

IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)

IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)

M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)

Pending Homes Sales (US) (14:00)

U. of Michigan Confidence (US) (14:00)

FINALS

Ebiquity, Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI)

ANNUAL REPORT

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (DI)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Ariana Resources, City of London Investment Group

AGMS

Beazley, Kitwave Group, PCF Group, SK Telecom Co Ltd. ADS

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Henderson Opportunities Trust