We have our first trading updates of the year, with Next PLC (LSE:NXT) opening things up for the retail sector, with the eyes of the industry, investors and analysts likely to be zeroing in on what the sector bellwether has to say after a glum Boxing Day for the high street.
Following a bullish year for the blue-chip chain, which saw shares rise almost 40%, the latest trading performance showed a better-than-expected 4% growth generated in the third quarter to the end of October.
This shows why Next is a rare ray of light in an expected gloomy year ahead according to one analyst, while another suggested a return to historic trends is in store in 2024.
Elsewhere among retailers, Topps Tiles PLC (LSE:TPT) is also set to release a Q1 trading statement.
In the world of macroeconomics, Thursday brings more PMI data, focusing on the services sector this time.
There will also be UK mortgage approval numbers from the Bank of England, with the previous figures showing an improvement from September’s eight-month low.
For the US, we will get auto sales figures and have a look at the Challenger, Gray & Christmas job losses survey, along with the weekly initial and continuing jobless claims ahead of the big non-farm payrolls report at the end of the week.
US earnings season also creaks into life, with quarterly results from Walgreens Boots Alliance.