Financial markets' attention at the end of the week would be squarely on the latest inflation data out of the States.
Economic activity in the U. S. slowed by more than anticipated at the turn of the year, while price pressures picked up.
Orders in the U. S. for goods made to last more than three years rose by slightly more than expected last month.
The Bank of England’s chief economist, Huw Pill, said on Tuesday that rate cuts were still "some way off".
The Bank of England's first interest rate cut of the current cycle remains some way off, its chief economist said.
Economic activity in the U. S. slowed last month, the results of two closely followed surveys revealed.
A top Federal Reserve official said that the central bank needs more clarity on inflation before moving on interest rates.
Israel struck a target in the central Iranian province of Isfahan, where the country's nuclear installations are located.
Manufacturing sector conditions in the U. S. mid-Atlantic region improved unexpectedly in April, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
The U. S. jobs market appeared to remain tight during the latest reference week.
Retail sales in the U. S. grew more than twice as quickly as expected last month amid big increases at non-store retailers and for gasoline.
Rate-setters in Frankfurt stood pat on rates on Thursday, but said that it would be correct to lower interest rates if its next set of projections, in June, increased their confidence that inflation was headed lower.
Wholesale prices rose by a tad less than anticipated last month amid a decline in energy costs.
America's labour market remained tight during the latest week.
The cost of living in the U. S. rose by more than expected last month amid gains in the cost of energy, clothing and medical care services.
The U. S. economy generated far more jobs than anticipated during the previous month.
The number of layoff announcements in the U. S. continued to rise in March, the results of a survey revealed.
The U. S. jobs market remained tight during the previous week, although the Easter break may have distorted the latest figures.
Activity levels in U. S. services failed to pick up last month as anticipated by economists, the results of a closely-followed survey showed.