Thursday preview: BoE, BoJ rate decisions in focus

(Sharecast News) - The market spotlight on Thursday would be on the latest policy decisions out of the Bank of England and Bank of Japan (or perhaps the opposite). Economists were widely anticipating that Bank would keep official short-term interest rates at 4.75%.

Eight of the Monetary Policy Committee's nine members were expected to hold rates with one member voting for an increase.

For their part, economists at Bank of America said their forecast was for a terminal rate of 3.50% to be reached in early 2026.

Before that, overnight the Bank of Japan was scheduled to announce its own decision.

BofA anticipated that the BoJ too would hold rates steady, yet while "unlikely" a rate hike could not be ruled out.

Stateside meanwhile, investors would be asked to digest a flurry of economic indicators, including the latest weekly jobless claims figures and the Philly Fed's regional factory sector index.

Thursday 19 December

INTERIMS

FIH Group

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

International Public Partnerships Ltd., Octopus Titan VCT

INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Halma, JPMorgan European Discovery Trust, Mitie Group, Montanaro European Smaller Companies Trust, MS International, NewRiver REIT, Northern 2 VCT, Northern 3 VCT, Northern Venture Trust, Octopus AIM VCT, Pharos Energy , ProVen Growth & Income VCT, ProVen VCT, Templeton Emerging Markets Inv Trust

QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE

British American Tobacco, Law Debenture Corp., Mercantile Investment Trust (The)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continuing Claims (US) (13:30)

Current Account (EU) (09:00)

Existing Home Sales (US) (15:00)

GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00)

Initial Jobless Claims (US) (13:30)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)

GMS

Playtech

FINALS

Roadside Real Estate

SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Amati AIM Vct

AGMS

Avation, AVI Global Trust , BATM Advanced Communications Ltd., Boston International Holdings, Frontier IP Group, Mila Resources, Northamber, Plaza Centers NV, Renalytix (Reg S), Sabien Technology Group

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Time Finance

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

BoE Interest Rate Decision (12:00)

FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE

Barings Emerging Emea Opportunities , Smart (J) & Co., Topps Tiles