Week ahead: Barrage of economic data awaits

The upcoming week is set to again be a holiday-shortened one, with UK and US markets closed on Monday and many Southern European markets likely to see low trading volumes on Friday, due to the feast day of the Epiphany.

Regardless, investors will be asked to hit the ground running - although many traders will likely still be away from their desks - with a slew of first-tier economic indicators scheduled for release.

First out, over the weekend, will be the 'official' Chinese manufacturing sector PMI for the month of December.

It will be followed throughout the week by similar surveys referencing activity in the factory and services sectors in all the main geographies.

Nonetheless, as always at the start of each month, it is the monthly US non-farm payrolls report, due out on Friday, which will draw the most attention.

The minutes of the most recent US central bank policy meeting, on Wednesday, and the latest Chinese official FX reserves data, on Friday, may also move markets.

Monday 02 January

No results scheduled

Tuesday 03 January

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Bunzl, Castings, Fuller Smith & Turner, Great Portland Estates, Headlam Group, Next, Tate & Lyle, TR Property Inv Trust

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Raven Russia Ltd 6.5% Red Cnv Pref Shs NPV, Raven Russia Ltd. Cum Red Pref Shares

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Construction Spending (US) (15:00)
ISM Manufacturing (US) (15:00)
ISM Prices Paid (US) (15:00)
Unemployment Rate (GER) (08:55)

Wednesday 04 January

INTERIMS
Accrol Group Holdings

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
3i Group, Amec Foster Wheeler, JPMorgan Euro Small Co. Trust, Sainsbury (J), VP

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

EGMS
Aseana Properties Ltd.

AGMS
Cambria Automobiles

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BRC Shop Price Index (00:01)
Consumer Credit (09:30)
M4 Money Supply (09:30)
Mortgage Approvals (09:30)
PMI Construction (08:30)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Town Centre Securities

Thursday 05 January

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Caledonia Investments, Hill & Smith Holdings, Mckay Securities, Yu Group

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Auto Trader Group , Aveva Group, Bisichi Mining, Dairy Crest Group, Dart Group, F&C Global Smaller Companies, Hibernia Reit , Latham (James), Livermore Investments Group Ltd., Northern 2 VCT, Northern 3 VCT, United Carpets Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Blackrock North American Income Trust

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
BlackRock Income Strategies Trust , British Land Company, Investors Capital Trust 'A' Shares, JP Morgan Chase & Co

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Crude Oil Inventories (US) (16:00)
Producer Price Index (EU) (10:00)

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
European Investment Trust, GVC Holdings

AGMS
Ironveld, Mercom Capital

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
BBA Aviation 5% Cum Prf, Cerillion , Character Group, European Investment Trust, Henderson European Focus Trust, International Biotech Trust, Lowland Investment Co, McCarthy & Stone, On The Beach Group , Paragon Group Of Companies, Servoca, Stride Gaming, Topps Tiles

Friday 06 January

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Atkins (WS), Big Yellow Group, Caffyns, Homeserve, JD Sports Fashion, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, Pets at Home Group , Severn Trent, Shanks Group

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Zhejiang Expressway Co 'H' Shares

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Land Securities Group

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Balance of Trade (US) (13:30)
Business Climate Indicator (EU) (10:00)
Consumer Confidence (EU) (10:00)
Economic Sentiment Indicator (EU) (10:00)
Factory Orders (GER) (07:00)
Factory Orders (US) (15:00)
Industrial Confidence (EU) (10:00)
Non-Farm Payrolls (US) (13:30)
Retail Sales (EU) (10:00)
Retail Sales (GER) (07:00)
Unemployment Rate (US) (13:30)

FINALS
C4X Discovery Holdings

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
British Empire Trust

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
British Empire Trust, Waterman Group