Tuesday preview: Chinese trade data, UK inflation figures

Following a quiet start to the week, the pace is set to pick up on Tuesday with the release of Chinese trade data and UK inflation figures.

First up, Chinese exports are expected to have contracted 6% year-on-year in September, on weak external demand and an extra holiday in the month. Imports are projected to fall 15.9%. The trade surplus may have fallen from $60.2bn to $47.90bn last month, according to analysts' predictions.

The report comes amid concerns about the slowdown in the world’s second largest economy so any further sign of weakness is likely to add to woes.

In the UK, inflation is expected to remain at 0% year-on-year in September, well below the Bank of England’s 2% target. On a month-on-month comparison, the consumer price index is forecast to fall to 0% last month from 0.2% in August.

The BoE said the outlook for CPI in coming months looked weaker than it previously thought, according to the meeting minutes of its 8 September policy meeting. The central bank, which is taking inflation into close consideration in determining the timing of an interest rate hike, said CPI was unlikely to reach 1% until the spring of 2016.

Meanwhile, the BoE will release its Credit Conditions and Bank Liabilities surveys, which are key in the Bank’s assessment of economic conditions.

Elsewhere, Germany will see the release of its ZEW survey on economic conditions as well as the final estimate of CPI for September.

Tuesday 13 October

INTERIMS
LiDCO Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Intertek Group

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trade balance (CHINA)
Consumer Price Index (GER) (07:00)
ZEW Survey (EU) (10:00)
ZEW Survey (GER) (10:00)

GMS
O'Key Group GDR (Reg S) (WI)

FINALS
DotDigital Group, Nanoco Group, Proactis Holdings

IMSS
Michael Page International

EGMS
GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd, UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company

AGMS
CSF Group, FinnAust Mining, Leeds Group, Myanmar Investments International Ltd, Premaitha Health

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Michael Page International

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BRC Sales Monitor (00:01)
Consumer Price Index (09:30)
Producer Price Index (09:30)
Retail Price Index (09:30)