With the release of corporate earnings easing up, focal points this week are centred around economic data and include the minutes from the Bank of England’s latest rate-setting meeting and the Federal Reserve’s own interest rate meeting mid-week, as well as UK unemployment data and US manufacturing reports.
Monday
Finance ministers representing the 16 single currency euro nations will meet on Monday afternoon to formally discuss a potential financial aid package for Greece. Up until now, rhetoric has focused on supporting the struggling nation but no hard figures have been announced. Today’s meeting in Brussels should result in an agreed plan of action but it would come as little surprise is specific numbers once again fail to materialise, particularly as Germany is reluctant to bail out the Mediterranean country.
Ahead of the meeting, the US will report the Empire State manufacturing survey and the country’s latest industrial production figures.
Tuesday
Both the Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve will host their interest rate meetings on Tuesday. Though the latter is not expected to make any changes, investors will be watching closely for any signs or comments as to when rates will begin to rise again.
US housing starts will also be eyed, as will the consumer and retail price indices in the UK.
On the corporate front, security firm G4S will unveil full-year results and analysts will be looking to see whether the slide in revenue growth that was witnessed at the halfway point continued in the latter part of 2009.
Wednesday
Pharmaceuticals investors will look to Hikma Pharma on Wednesday for further signs of how sector players fared in 2009 and what’s in the pipeline for 2010. The main attraction mid-week, however, will be the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting minutes. The MPC last week left rates unchanged, which came as no surprise to anyone, but minutes this week will show whether all committee members were in agreement to keep the quantitative easing programme on hold.
UK employment data, including the claimant count and the unemployment rate, will also take centre state.
Among those stocks trading exclusive of dividend rights will be HSBC, JD Wetherspoon, Standard Life and Thomas Cook Group.
Thursday
Thursday is a busy day for economic data: in Asia, the Bank of Japan’s Monthly Report should offer insights into whether the Japanese government will further stimulate the economy by boosting lending; in the UK, money supply and mortgage approvals will be eyed; elsewhere in Europe, investors will have the Balance of Trade and Current Account reports to digest; while in the US, leading indicators, the Philly Fed index, the consumer price index and the current account balance all have the potential to impact the markets.
Friday
A quieter session is due on Friday, providing an opportunity for investors to reflect on the previous day’s raft of data. In the eurozone, the ZEW survey will provide an indication of business sentiment in the region.
Review Morningstar's Corporate Calendar for more information on company earnings and dividend payments.