Friday preview: US inflation data, UK retail sales in focus

(Sharecast News) - Investors' focus at the end of the week will continue to be on the inflation picture in the US. At 1330 BST the US Department of Labor will release its report on personal income and spending for the month of November.

Contained in that report will be the price deflators for the month of November.

The core PCE deflator specifically happens to be the US central bank's preferred inflation gauge.

It is expected to have ticked higher by one tenth of a percentage point in annual terms to reach 2.9%, versus the Federal Reserve's goal of 2%.

Also due out, at 1500 BST are the preliminary results for the University of Michigan's consumer confidence survey covering the month of December.

On home shores, at 0930 BST the Office for National Statistics will publish public sector net borrowing figures for November.

They will be supplemented by retail sales data for that same month.

Further afield, in the People's Republic of China, rate-setters are scheduled to meet to decide on monetary policy.

Friday 20 December

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited NPV, Marks Electrical Group, Record, Sainsbury (J), Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust, Telecom Plus, Triad Group, Yu Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

BlackRock World Mining Trust, BP, Vaalco Energy, Inc (DI)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gross Domestic Product (US) (13:30)

Personal Consumption Expenditures (US) (13:30)

Personal Income (US) (13:30)

Personal Spending (US) (13:30)

U. of Michigan Confidence (Final) (US) (15:00)

SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

abrdn Asia Focus, Ithaca Energy, Petershill Partners

AGMS

Fintech Asia Limited Npv, Macau Property Opportunities Fund Ltd., Vast Resources

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Public Sector Net Borrowing (07:00)

Retail Sales (07:00)

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Avingtrans, BlackRock Greater Europe Inv Trust, Tristel