Tuesday preview: Reserve Bank of Australia, AO World

The focus on Tuesday will be on the world's major central banks, Australia's in particular, in so far as it may become one of the first to cut rates in the face of the expected slowdown in global growth.

The consensus view is that rate-setters in Canberra will cut the Reserve Bank's cash rate from 1.50% to 1.25%, although analysts say that it will be a close call.

Across the Channel meanwhile, a preliminary reading on consumer prices in the euro area for the month of May is expected to reveal a dip in the core year-on-year rate of CPI from 1.3% in April to 1.0% for May.

To take note of, the European Central Bank is set to make a policy announcement just two days afterwards.

America's Federal Reserve will also be in the spotlight, as Fed chair Jerome Powell speaks at the Federal Reserve bank of Chicago's conference on monetary policy strategy.

According to Numis's Simon Bowler, investors' focus in white goods retailer AO World's finals is likely to be on the company's margins and the "messaging" from the company's returning boss and founder, John Roberts.

Bowler believes Roberts's messaging will centre on the company's efforts to deliver faster growth in the UK and as regards pressure on business in the European Union.

Net debt is seen at approximately £15.0m on the back of the company's stockpiling ahead of Brexit.

Tuesday June 04

INTERIMS

Driver Group, Gooch & Housego

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Schlumberger Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Factory Orders (US) (15:00)

Unemployment Rate (EU) (10:00)

FINALS

AO World, Bluejay Mining, Carclo, Chamberlin, Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd. (DI), Palace Capital , Vianet Group, VP

AGMS

Albion Technology & General VCT, Arrow Global Group, Destiny Pharma , Ebiquity, North American Income Trust (The), Northbridge Industrial Services, Nostrum Oil & Gas , Rockrose Energy, Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited (DI), Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) 'B' Limited, Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) C Limited NPV, Tasty, The Gym Group, Trufin

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

PMI Construction (09:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Intertek Group, Mitsubhi Electric Corp., Relx plc