Friday preview: ECB rate decision, US producer prices in focus

(Sharecast News) - The market spotlight on Thursday will be on the European Central Bank as rate-setters meet in Frankfurt to decide on policy. Consensus is that the ECB will ease its main interest rates by an additional 25 basis points, but some observers believe that a 50bp reduction would be more appropriate - even if unlikely.

Their decision will be announced at 1315 BST and an explanation of their reasoning from ECB boss Christine Lagarde will follow at 1345 BST.

Central bankers at the Swiss National Bank are also scheduled to announce their rate decision, but at 0830 BST.

More important inflation data will be forthcoming in the US, in the form of a reading on monthly producer price changes that is due out at 1330 BST.

Friday 13 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Airtel Africa , B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI), C&C Group (CDI), CML Microsystems, DCC (CDI), Inspired, Investec Non-Red Non-Cum Non-Part Prf Shs, Kainos Group , Portmeirion Group, Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust, Tatton Asset Management , Wynnstay Properties

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV, Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (USD), Petrotal Corporation NPV (DI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Import and Export Price Indices (US) (13:30)

Industrial Production (EU) (10:00)

GMS

Atrato Onsite Energy

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Lancashire Holdings Limited

AGMS

Crystal Amber Fund Ltd., Grit Real Estate Income Group Limited NPV, Kromek Group, Ultimate Products

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Balance of Trade (07:00)

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Gross Domestic Product (07:00)

Industrial Production (07:00)

Manufacturing Production (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Aeci 5 1/2% Prf, Blackfinch Spring VCT , Fidelity Emerging Markets Limited Ptg NPV, Fiske, Gattaca, James Halstead, New Star Investment Trust, Schroder Japan Trust