Friday preview: US consumer confidence in the spotlight

The focus at the weekend will be on the American consumer as the University Michigan releases a preliminary reading for consumer sentiment in August close on the heels of a much stronger than expected reading on retail sales in July.

In the background meanwhile, investors will be keeping a close eye on the US Treasury yield curve, the situation in Hong Kong and busily scanning for any news headlines related to the US-China trade war.

A reading on US housing start in July is also due out.

No major economic reports are scheduled in Asia or in the UK.

Across the Channel, the sole reference point for traders will be a report on the Eurozone's foreign trade balance covering the month of June.

No FTSE 350 names are scheduled to update investors at the end of the week.

Friday August 16

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Arbuthnot Banking Group, Foresight 4 VCT, Globalworth Real Estate Investments Limited, Safestore Holdings

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock Latin American Inv Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (EU) (10:00)

Building Permits (US) (13:30)

Housing Starts (US) (13:30)

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

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Martin Currie Asia Unconstrained Trust

EGMS

Highbridge Multi-Strategy Fund GBP Shares, UK Mortgages Limited , XLMedia

AGMS

Acorn Income Fund Ld, Acorn Income Fund Ld, TCS Group Holding GDR (Each Repr 1 A Shr) (Reg S)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Heath (Samuel) & Sons, Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings, Martin Currie Asia Unconstrained Trust , Stenprop Limited