Thursday preview: US CPI, Asos in the spotlight
The focus on Thursday is likely to continue to be on the global trade front as well as the headlines coming out of the NATO leaders' summit in Brussels.
Quite important as well however will be the June reading on US consumer prices, at 1330 BST, with economists forecasting a further drift higher in both the headline and 'core' rates of CPI, to 2.9% and 2.3%, respectively.
Back in the euro area, the focus will be on the release of the minutes of the European Central Bank's last policy meeting, when rate-setters guided towards a first deposit rate hike for the fourth quarter of 2019.
However, according to analysts at TD Securities, revised translations of the French and German-language policy statement seemed to suggest that a hike was possible earlier, in summer.
No major UK economic data are scheduled to be released.
ASOS is among the raft of companies that is scheduled to update investors on Thursday, with analysts at Numis expecting third quarter sales will be slightly higher in all geographies, together with "strong" margins, possibly above the 100 basis point improvement predicted for the fiscal year.
Any comments from management on changes to US sales taxes and duties would be welcome, the broker said.
"We remain positive on the shares, believe that ASOS’ investments are supporting and driving a clear long-term profitable growth opportunity."
Thursday July 12
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Produce Investments
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Autins Group, Marble Point Loan Financing Limited NPV, Safestore Holdings, Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund, WH Smith
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Duke Royalty Limited, GlaxoSmithKline
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
BlackRock Latin American Inv Trust, Diversified Gas & Oil, Fair Oaks Income Limited 2014 Shs NPV, Fair Oaks Income Limited 2017 Shs NPV, JPMorgan Asian Investment Trust, Merchants Trust, Middlefield Canadian Income PCC, Primary Health Properties
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)
Consumer Price Index (US) (13:30)
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Industrial Production (EU) (10:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
GMS
Mothercare
FINALS
Dart Group, ReNeuron Group
SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Billing Services Group Ltd.
AGMS
Burberry Group, Establishment Inv Trust, Global Fixed Income Realisation Limited, Global Fixed Income Realisation Limited, Helical, Land Securities Group, Northern 2 VCT, Oxford Technology 2 VCT, Oxford Technology 3 VCT, Oxford Technology 4 Venture Capital Trust, Oxford Technology VCT, Pets at Home Group , Renewi , Telford Homes, Templeton Emerging Markets Inv Trust
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ASOS, Dunelm Group, Hays, Premier Oil, Ten Entertainment Group
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Young & Co's Brewery 'A' Shares
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Anpario, B.P. Marsh & Partners, Castings, F&C Global Smaller Companies, Halma, Invesco Asia Trust, JPMorgan Japan Smaller Companies Trust, Mission Marketing Group, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, Prime People, Sirius Real Estate Ltd., Superdry, Telecom Plus, Triple Point Income VCT, Triple Point Income VCT C, Triple Point Income VCT D, Ventus 2 VCT, Ventus 2 VCT 'C' Shares, Ventus VCT, Ventus VCT 'C' Shares