Following the first Bank of England meeting of the year, the Monetary Policy Committee will announce its latest policy decision at midday tomorrow, with easing inflation and wage growth already giving the market confidence that the first rate cut will be along in a few months.
Next PLC (LSE:NXT) has gone from strength to strength with repeated profit upgrades this year, can results offer more upside? ...Read the preview
Direct Line's rejection of a takeover by Ageas will leave investors wanting more information in its report... Read the preview
Across the pond, Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE, ETR:NKE) will be in focus and could move the dial for London-listed retailers including JD Sport ...Read the preview.
Announcements due on Thursday 21 March
Trading updates: C&C Group PLC (LSE:CCR)
Interims: RegTech Open Project PLC (LSE:RTOP)
Finals: Aptitude Software Group PLC (LSE:APTD), Aquis Exchange PLC (AIM:AQX), Centamin PLC (LSE:CEY, TSX:CEE, OTC:CELTF), Direct Line Insurance Group PLC (LSE:DLG), Dowlais Group PLC (LSE:DWL), Energean PLC (LSE:ENOG), Gulf Keystone Petroleum, Hostelworld (LSE:HSW) Group PLC, Ithaca Energy PLC (LSE:ITH), M&G PLC (LSE:MNG), National World PLC (LSE:NWOR), Next PLC (LSE:NXT), Secure Trust Bank PLC (LSE:STB), Tribal Group PLC (AIM:TRB)
US earnings: Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN), Signet Jewelers Ltd, FedEx Corp (NYSE:FDX, ETR:FDX), Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE, ETR:NKE)
Economic announcements: BoE Interest Rate Decision (UK), Public Sector Net Borrowing (UK), Continuing Claims (US), Current Account (US), Initial Jobless Claims (US), Existing Home Sales (US), Inflation (Japan)
Ex-dividends to reduce FTSE 100 by: 6.59