Week ahead: Bank of England rate decision and China data in focus
Economic data will once again be in focus this week with the Bank of England (BoE) interest rate decision and its inflation report due on Thursday.
Expectations for an interest rate hike are almost non-existant though the tone of governor Mark Carney’s remarks will be closely scrutinised for any clues on the current economic landscape.
On Friday the FTSE 100 closed marginally higher, with the market recovering from earlier losses as shares in miners Randgold and Fresnillo climbed thanks to a rise in the price of gold.
The blue-chip index ended up 0.1 per cent at 6,125.70 points.
The FTSE is still around two per cent so far in 2016, and 14 per cent below a record high reached in April 2015.
Before the BoE, this morning we get the latest Halifax house price index, and the UK’s industrial production and manufacturing data will be released on Wednesday.
China trade figures for April out this morning will also be of interest, with questions being asked over the sustainability of the country’s current stimulus programme.
Company results are still coming in for the first quarter and this week look out for interim results from budget airline EasyJet tomorrow and travel company Tui on Wednesday.
On Thursday ITV will reveal the extent of ad revenue slide at the broadcaster with people increasingly switching to watching TV on demand.