Before the open – 05/09
It's central bank rate decision day across Europe, with both the Bank of England and European Central Bank announcing policy this afternoon.
The FTSE is expected to rise slightly on news that the US is growing at a "modest to moderate" pace from yesterday's Beige Book update.
#FTSE called up 20. Generally firmer tone for European equities. Coming up: rate decisions from #BOE and #ECB plus first day of #G20
— David Morrison (@jmoz62) September 5, 2013
Decent US data (car sales +17% in August) & positive Beige book may trigger bright opening in Europe FTSE +18, DAX +34, CAC +8
— David Buik (@truemagic68) September 5, 2013
Fairly heavy US data as well, with jobs data, factory orders and non-manufacturing order books information being released slightly later in the day.
Key events:
- German July factory orders at 11.00. Expected to rise 2.7 per cent in the year to date, from 4.3 per cent.
- Bank of England rate and asset purchase decisions at 12.00.
- European Central Bank rate decision at 12.45.
- US initial jobless claims at 13.30. Expected to fall from 331,000 to 330,000 this week.
- US July factory orders at 15.00. Expected to fall from 1.5 per cent to -3.3 per cent.
- US July ISM non-manufacturing PMI at 15.00. Expected to fall from 56 to 55.