Thursday preview: ECB minutes, Premier Oil in focus
Markets' attention on Thursday will flip remain firmly on Europe - barring surprises.
FTSE 250
19,824.16
16:59 26/04/24
FTSE 350
4,470.09
16:59 26/04/24
FTSE All-Share
4,423.59
17:14 26/04/24
Harbour Energy
293.40p
16:40 26/04/24
Oil & Gas Producers
9,649.01
16:59 26/04/24
Shortly after noon, the European Central Bank will release the minutes of its last policy meeting, with investors keen for any fresh clues regarding the size of the monetary authority's new round of stimulus expected in September.
Earlier, at 0900 BST, IHS Markit will release preliminary readings for its factory and services sector Purchasing Managers' Indices covering the month of August.
Meanwhile, in Italy, President Sergio Mattarella is due to meet with the leaders of the Five Star movement and the Democratic party to see if a coalition government between the two might be possible.
If not, it will be back to the ballot box for Italians.
In the UK, the sole indicator scheduled for release going into the long Bank holiday is the Confederation of British Industry's distributive trades survey for August.
Among the outfits due to update shareholders on Thursday is Premier Oil.
For the oil explorer's first half results, UBS's Amy Wong expects markets' focus to be on the outlook for production at the Catcher field, including a potential resource upgrade, progress on it Wahoo and Zama wells in Mexico and on its Sea Lion loan application.
On 17 July, the company had guided towards full-year production of 75-80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, a reduction in net debt of more than $300.0m, operating expenses (excluding lease costs) of $12.0 per barrel of oil equivalent and capital expenditures of $340.0m.
Thursday August 22
INTERIMS
Anglo Pacific Group, Antofagasta, CRH, Foresight Solar Fund Limited, John Laing Group , Macfarlane Group, NMC Health, Playtech, Premier Oil, Sopheon , Sportech
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Apax Global Alpha Limited , British Smaller Companies VCT 2, CLS Holdings, Croda International, Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. (Singapore), Devro, FDM Group (Holdings), Glanbia, GVC Holdings, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Hongkong Land Holding Ltd. (Sing.Reg), Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd (Singapore Reg), Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda), Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. (Jersey), Jardine Strategic Holdingd Ltd. (Bermuda), Jardine Strategic Holdingd Ltd. (Jersey REG), Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd. (Singapore), Keller Group, London Stock Exchange Group, Mandarin Oriental International (Singapore), Marshall Motor Holdings, Mobeus Income & Growth 2 Vct, Mobeus Income & Growth 4 Vct, Mobeus Income & Growth Vct, Reckitt Benckiser Group, Sabre Insurance Group, Schroders, Schroders (Non-Voting), Synectics, Vivo Energy
QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE
Fair Oaks Income Limited 2017 Shs NPV, M Winkworth
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Blackrock North American Income Trust , Carnival, NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD), Premier Global Infrastructure Trust, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)
Gross Domestic Product (GER) (07:00)
Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)
FINALS
Arcontech Group, Ashley (Laura) Holding, Rank Group
AGMS
Blue Planet Investment Trust, Oakley Capital Investments Ltd. (DI)
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Circle Property , Sirius Real Estate Ltd.
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Berkeley Group Holdings (The), Castleton Technology, Cohort, Creightons, First Property Group, JPMorgan Brazil Inv Trust , Miton UK Microcap Trust, Park Group, Ramsdens Holdings , Stagecoach Group, Walker Crips Group