Friday preview: US-China trade talks, Microsoft in focus

The focus at the end of the week will be firmly on the results of the second round of talks by phone between US and Chinese trade negotiators scheduled for later on Thursday evening.

Also overnight, US software giant Microsoft is scheduled to update investors on its fiscal fourth quarter trading.

In terms of economic data, a preliminary reading on the University of Michigan's consumer confidence survey for July is due out at 1500 BST.

Earlier, at 0930 BST, the Office for National Statistics will release its estimate for public sector net borrowing referencing the month of June.

Across the Channel, readings on German wholesale inflation in June were set for release at 0800 BST followed by euro area current account figures for May at 1000 BST.

Friday July 19

INTERIMS

Schlumberger Ltd.

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Impax Asset Management Group, RWS Holdings, Sanderson Group, Zytronic

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Alpha Real Trust Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Current Account (EU) (09:00)

Producer Price Index (GER) (07:00)

U. of Michigan Confidence (Prelim) (US) (15:00)

Wholesale Price Index (GER) (07:00)

Q2

Schlumberger Ltd.

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Capital Gearing Trust, Kubera Cross-Border Fund Ltd., Life Settlement Assets, Life Settlement Assets, Life Settlement Assets

AGMS

Big Yellow Group, British Land Company, EVR Holdings, Homeserve, Itaconix , Live Company Group, Mereo Biopharma Group, Tanfield Group, Tata Steel Ltd GDR (Reg S)

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Close Brothers Group, Record

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Sector Net Borrowing (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

3i Group, Biffa, C&C Group, Capital Gearing Trust, First Derivatives, Helical, Northern 2 VCT, Northern 3 VCT, Premier Technical Services Group , ProVen Growth & Income VCT, ProVen VCT, Severn Trent, Telford Homes, Wynnstay Properties